Niechęć do wyznawania. O kulturze autobiografii w Polsce

Abstract

The author argues that autobiographies appeared in Poland on a large scale in the late 20th century – unlike the memoirs which were previously the most popular form of intimate expression. In order to prove the point the author explains at first the distinction between autobiography and memoirs by situating them within different philosophical and anthropological traditions. Subsequently, he reviews the reception of autobiographies in Polish culture arguing that so far – due to historical, political and cultural reasons – an introvert point of view which is an inherent attribute of autobiography was treated like an act of exhibitionism. The extrovert point of view proper to memoirs in which the subject is defined in relation to somebody or something (nation, history, society) seems to suit better the Polish context.

Keywords

• autobiography
• memoirs
• subject
• confession