Józef Wittlin – na szlakach ucieczki i ocalenia

Abstract

RYSZARD ZAJĄCZKOWSKI John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin JÓZEF WITTLIN – TRACING ESCAPE AND SALVATION The article refers to war and post-war life of Józef Wittlin and his family. It initially depicts his trials and tribulations from the moment of the poet’s departure to the former Royaumont Abbey near Paris in June 1939 till his voyage from Lisbon to the USA in January 1941. From the moment Wittlin reached America he permanently lived in New York, struggling with numerous health and financial problems. In spite of that he continued his writing, and was even laureate of American awards for literature. In the year 1948 he finally decided to stay in America. His memories (continued till his death, though not always published) depict America as an emigrant-unfriendly country. Truly, however, Polish writers (e.g. Aleksander Janta-Połczyński, Kazimierz Wierzyński, Czesław Miłosz) left also a different images of this country, and Wittlin’s voice should not be seen as the only reflection on American reality since it almost completely neglects its positive sides. All in all, Wittlin gives a provocative vision of the country and compels to a discussion on the American myth.