Od literatury do polityki. Polskie lekcje romantyzmu

The observation that the relationship between literary fiction and the reality is historical, factual in nature constitutes the departure point for this paper. The imperative to make the real life a mirror of imaginary literary plots, to shape human existence into a theatrical drama is pointed out as a crucial feature of the Romantic era. The concept of political Romanticism is also discussed, with a note that this idea survived long after the 19th century. It is argued that Mickiewicz’s Oda do młodości and Konrad Wallenrod were important stimulating factors for the Polish independence movement, particularly for the November Uprising of 1830. The paper also presents the flaws and mistakes committed recurrently during the subsequent uprisings. At the end of the paper, two main figures that represented the Polish cause are characterized: Aleksander Wielopolski – a pragmatic realist, whose views and activities met with general public denial, and Józef Piłsudski – who managed to combine the Romantic heritage with effective, pragmatic political movements