Norwid's Attitude Towards the January Uprising. (Translated from the English by Roman Werpachowski)

Abstract

Weintraub determines “Norwid's attitude toward the very idea of an armed rising, the degree to which his poetic as well as prosaic pronouncements of 1861-63 agreed with that attitude”. Before the events of 1861-63 Norwid held definitely negative views on previous insurrections. He saw them as emotional outbursts which could only inflict sufferings on his nation. He formed his opinions very early. He was fundamentally critical of the very idea of insurrection while paying a warm tribute to the patriotism of the insurgents. Norwid greeted the patriotic demonstrations that took place in Warsaw with enthusiasm. His exaltation survived the outbreak of the insurrection for a time. But he strongly opposed the idea of insurrection and regarded it as needless, un-Christian bloodshed.