Podróż w głąb ziemi : wizerunek górnika dawniej i dziś

Abstract

The article discusses the image of the miner, taking into consideration the constant and variable characteristics in a diachronic perspective. The source material is comprised of older literary texts (first half of the 20th century) as well as contemporary fiction. The theory of the language image of the world as well as the category of stereotype serve as the methodological framework. The analysis of older depictions of the miner reveals the mostly positive perception connected with, among others, the diligence of the miners, the dangerous character of their jobs, or their religiousness. Contemporary literature also points to the characteristics of their professions, the toil and the danger, which contribute to social respectability. However, there are also pejorative images to be found, including bad working conditions under the ground, the monotonous character of the job, and the detrimental influence on health. Apart from that, contemporary literature engages with contemporary issues, such as the employment of women in the mines. The article, apart from the study of old and contemporary image of the miner, constitutes an answer to the question regarding the permanence and change in the depictions of this profession.