Polish Nationalism from the Margins: The Case of the Gorale Culture and the Modern Polish Identity

This thesis seeks to chart the course of the Polish nation building process from its inception as a state in the 10th century to the 19th century when I argue the “Modern Polish Nation” was formed. Furthermore, this thesis will look at the integral role that vernacular culture played in creating modern Poland using the Gorale people as a case study to frame this process. Finally, I hope to show the relationship of appropriation between the center “Poland” and the margin “the Gorale,” and how today the Gorale view and live with their position in the greater Polish community. This final section will be composed with the help of interviews that I collected while conducting field research in the region. Together this will allow to create a more nuanced approach to the thesis topics