Urodzony Jan Dęboróg, dzieje jego rodu, głowy i serca, przez niego samego opowiadane a rytmem spisane przez W. S. – patriotyzm w gawędzie Władysława Syrokomli (Ludwika Kondratowicza)

Ludwik Kondratowicz (Władysław Syrokomla) represented a patriotic attitude towards his homeland.His works written in the years 1823–1862 were primarily an expression of the public moodin the middle of the 19th century. It was Syrokomla’s gentleman’s tale Born Jan Dęboróg, the Historyof His Family, Heads and Hearts, Told by Him Himself and Written Down in the Form of Rhythmby W. S., written in the years 1847–1851 and published for the first time in 1853, that reflected thatlocal/regional patriotism. For many years it remained in the shadow of the great legacy of the mostoutstanding representatives of Romanticism and was therefore underestimated.What is important in this tale is a tradition, with various events and customs related to it, datingback to the seventeenth century and continued till Syrokomla’s times. Apart from the defense ofpeasants, national tradition and patriotism, Syrokomla also emphasized his own views, so this taleis also a confession of the author’s faith. The popularity of Born Jan Dęborog was determined notonly by the personal tone of the tale saturated with a wistful feeling, but also by the manner in whichthe action is presented – from the point of view of the average person. Syrokomla consciously gaveup his role as the guide of the nation and immersed himself in the oral tradition, thanks to which heenjoyed the obedience and reverence of his people.