Ludwik Kondratowicz (Władysław Syrokomla) represented a patriotic attitude towards his homeland.
His works written in the years 1823–1862 were primarily an expression of the public mood
in the middle of the 19th century. It was Syrokomla’s gentleman’s tale Born Jan Dęboróg, the History
of His Family, Heads and Hearts, Told by Him Himself and Written Down in the Form of Rhythm
by W. S., written in the years 1847–1851 and published for the first time in 1853, that reflected that
local/regional patriotism. For many years it remained in the shadow of the great legacy of the most
outstanding representatives of Romanticism and was therefore underestimated.
What is important in this tale is a tradition, with various events and customs related to it, dating
back to the seventeenth century and continued till Syrokomla’s times. Apart from the defense of
peasants, national tradition and patriotism, Syrokomla also emphasized his own views, so this tale
is also a confession of the author’s faith. The popularity of Born Jan Dęborog was determined not
only by the personal tone of the tale saturated with a wistful feeling, but also by the manner in which
the action is presented – from the point of view of the average person. Syrokomla consciously gave
up his role as the guide of the nation and immersed himself in the oral tradition, thanks to which he
enjoyed the obedience and reverence of his people.
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