Etos pracy w literaturze i kulturze — wprowadzenie do tomu studiów

Abstract

The study presents in the first part various forms of work (from physical to mental) done in the countryside and in the city, as well as the motivation accompanying it (satisfying hunger and gaining goods ensuring existence), characterizes the term of ethos, especially the work ethos, provides a review of issues related to work in Polish literature from the time of the Enlightenment to the end of the 20th century. The second part of the study presents a review of the proverbs about work and the genesis of the book presented to the reader, preceded by a scientific conference. The part constituting a review of work depictions in Polish literature treats about the employment of people belonging to different groups and social classes (nobles, burghers, clergy, peasantry), the effort of a farmer, a worker working in a factory or at the building site, a craftsman (weaver, carpenter), a driver, an engineer (builder supervising the production process), a wandering lamplighter, a teacher, an artist or a writer. It also concerns slavish labor of prisoners. The study presents literary images of work created under the influence of organic work, the cult of power stemming from Nietzscheanism and the slogans of the reconstruction of the socialist homeland. Writers are accompanied with the idea of presenting the psyche transformation of a man burdened with work. Proverbs show work as a necessity providing food and maintenance and leading to enrichment while diligence as a virtue, which is opposed by laziness leading to hunger and poverty. Work according to proverbs is associated with effort and prudence.