Emigration against Emigration. On the 140th Anniversary of Norwid’s Leaving Poland

Abstract

The present outline discusses two characteristic opinions of Cyprian Norwid on emigration in general and on his own emigration. According to these two opinions, Norwid can be called ”a consistent emigre” and at the same time ”a consistent opponent of emigration”. This, is an apparent contradiction only.

Norwid is a consistent emigre in the sense that emigration is understood as a moral act  of opposition which for some time „carries one away from the country” but not from the Country, the "great common duty”. He is consistent, for he does not change the decision he once made. For Norwid, to do that would be an inadmissible moral compromise. Norwid opposed emigration understood as an abnormal phenomenon evoked by an abnormal situation which issues the threat of destroying national culture; this situation can become a chance only if the emigres manage to keep in touch with their Country and if their Country recognizes the emigres as its own part. .Therefore, Norwid made every effort not to break with his reading public in Poland; to his readers he wished to be responsible as a poet.

Norwid strongly criticized Polish emigres and taunted them with political and cultural passiveness or sectarianism and particularism. That made his seclusion and alienation even deeper especially at the end of his life. His efforts, however, to overcome the tendencies destroying the unity of Polish national culture have remained till today as an important and even now readable message.