ЕМАНСИПАЦІЙНІ ТА ФЕМІНІСТИЧНІ ІДЕЇ В ПОВІСТІ «ВЧИТЕЛЬКА» ТАДЕУША МІЦИНСЬКОГО

Abstract

The article is devoted to feminist ideas in T. Miciński’s novel «The Teacher». Attention is drawn to the general features of «Young Poland» as an era in Polish culture and the place of feminism in it. The author focuses on the pecu- liarities of the collection «The Oaks of Tchernobyl», on its main ideas and preface. The way of expressing T. Miciński’s thoughts and emotions in the novel «The Teacher» is considered, namely his convincing attempt to express femininity in a work written by a man. A brief psychological portrait of the main character of the story is given, as well as the influence of her biography on the girl’s worldview is substantiated. The article examines the differences between the two editions of the novel «The Teacher» ‒ 1896 and 1911. Attention is drawn to the plot changes, a brighter solution, deeper metaphors and more clearly defined feminist concepts. It emphasizes the noticeable change of Amelia in the 1st and 2nd editions of the novel: from indecisive and naive to a mature and strong girl. Wojciech Gutowski’s concept of the «Valkyrie-Bee» is analyzed, according to which the «Valkyrie» symbols in the story signify courage, the desire for freedom and the readiness of the main character to fight against the social norms of the time. The symbols of «Bee» mean obedience, hesitation and attachment to their students. The «Valkyrie’s» constant struggle with the «Bee» (and the victory of the former) is one of the main feminist ideas in the story. The author of the article also draws attention to a number of other female characters who embody feminist images: Zosia, Manya, Stefka, Mrs. Kurbet and Anna. Zoska’s moral and professional growth throughout the plot is emphasized, as well as a symbolic allusion to Kl- ementyna Hoffmanova, which turns Zoska into a powerful image of the women’s movement in Poland, which seeks to develop, achieve more and help future generations. The conclusion is made about the power of feminist ideas in the novel and the possibility of the author’s unconscious influence of «The Teacher» on the development of the women’s movement in Poland.