Construction of Identity on Life and Work of Lesia Ukrainka: Postcolonial Perspective

Abstract

Narrative (generally writer’s) identity of Lesia Ukrainka was formed in a context of defensive, anticolonial counter discourse – It was Ukrainian answer on assimilative attempts of Russian imperial discourse on Ukrainian ethnic and cultural differences. That is the reason of natio-centric identity of the poet. What is more, even her literally pseudonym contain the name of her nation. Under this identity was shaped all other identities of the poet. All named and unnamed in this text identities of Lesia Ukrainka, which was used by her, during her short however, prolific life, was an external manifestation her inner identity. They were the manifestation of her passionate and maximalistic existence. The existence that very strongly refused to accept all injustice and inferiority – all models of domination / submission in all kinds of relationships neither between nations nor between people. She felt strong need of dignity, freedom and free will as a condition of the existence.