The works of Józef Wittlin: The perspective of genetic criticism

Maciej Wcisło

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A b s t r a k t

In the present article, I analyze four versions of the poem Przedśpiew [Prelude], which opens Józef Wittlin’s collection of poems entitled Hymny [Hymns], and discuss significant changes within the respective editions, pointing to the research potential of such an analysis. I also postulate that Hymny should be edited and published in accordance with the rules of genetic criticism of printed texts. I also demonstrate how genetic criticism may be applied to the works of Józef Wittlin in my discussion of a fragment of the manuscript of the novel Salt of the Earth. Thus, I both introduce and outline the future critical perspectives of genetic criticism.