Rocznik Komparatystyczny

Andrzej Kijowski (1928–1985), a remarkable literary critic opposing the official literary culture of the Polish People’s Republic, utilized, on the one hand, the essentialist concept of “creative conservatism”, but on the other hand, he employed the grotesque and highly intertextual prose. In the collections of his essayistic and journalistic writing such as Tropy, Bolesne prowokacje, Gdybym był królem, Rachunek naszych słabości or Granice literatury conservatism seems to appear in the foreground. However, Kijowski evoked intellectual ferment with Dziecko przez ptaka przyniesione, Grenadier-król and an opening essay to the book O dobrym Naczelniku i niezłomnym Rycerzu, where he emphasized constructivist aspects of creating the myth of national heroes. Surprising psychological contexts of even the most sacrificial patriotic behaviours were also touched upon by Kijowski in his short stories (Pseudonimy, Szyfry). Mainly Dziecko przez ptaka przyniesione and Grenadier-król seems to present Polish historical imagination. Their topics are representative also for European culture, eg the world as a theatre, the book as universe. Kijowski relativizes the engagement of particular historical and modern characters in the public life. He understands culture and particularly literature as a result of conscious and deliberate techniques of creating myths, symbols, ideals, values or tradition as a whole.