Stanisław Przybyszewski’s messianism

Abstract

The article describes the path of Stanisław Przybyszewski, broadly considered as a decadent towards the messianism concept. Basing on the theory of five world views by Michał Łuczewski, the author presents the writer’s apoliticism and life choices. The article outlines the romantic basis of Przybyszewski’s mindset, as well as the impact which the changing environment – move to Berlin, editing “Życie” magazine in Kraków, and years of cooperation with Poznań’s based “Zdrój” – had on him. The paper describes a significant influence that Juliusz Słowacki’s writing – especially the ones from his last, genesian period – had on the writer. The author analyses Przybyszewski’s perspective on Słowacki – first in the period of editing “Życie”, and later – working with “Zdrój”. The article distinguishes the contrast of influence which Słowacki had on Przybyszewski and Wincenty Lutosławski. The author points to the crucial rationale for writer’s changing world view: time of the Great War, and his financial problems due to declining popularity. This period is presented as the time of exploration – resulting in Przybyszewski’s turn to the romantic ideas of mysticism and messianism.