The image of the Polish XIXth century literature in the writings of Stanislaw Szczepanowski

The article presents the views of Stanislaw Szczepanowski (1845-1900) – a politician, an economist and a publicist – on the Polish XIXth century literature. Szczepanowski was an opponent of aestheticism and of cosmopolitan art. He treated literature instrumentally, seeing in it primarily a tool serving the realization of national goals. He especially valued Romantic Literature, for – in his belief – it guaranteed the continuity of culture and propounded the national ideal which integrated and activated the Polish nation. The foundation of this ideal is implementation of Christian ethical values into the political, social and economic life