Latająca ryba : studia o podróżopisarstwie Ignacego Domeyki

Abstract

Beata Mytych-Forajter’s book consists of eleven studies devoted to memoires and epistolography of the titular protagonist, who is mainly recognizable due to his contacts with Mickiewicz. On account of the uniqueness of Domeyko’s biography the analysis duly comprises an interdisciplinary study. Ignacy Domeyko was an author of memoirs and letters of travelogue, as well as a mineralogist, geologist, and a mining engineer who received his education in École des Mines in Paris. Texts left by Domeyko induce us to raise questions which would transcend the boundaries of disciplines, and thus require a particular dexterity at balancing between their borders. Owing to this fact, the book addresses wide spectrum of readers, for it may be of interest both to literary scholars and to science historians, cartographers, mining historians, cultural researchers of the Mapuche, as well as all aficionados of unusual Poles’ stories across the ocean. The book enlightens literary studies, and paves the way for exploring paths dependent on Domeyko’s wide scope of predilections as well as competences. Thus, the author raises issues about the geological nature of memoirs. Also, she ponders on the recipient who has become part of the text, and researches the memoirs’ construction. Moreover, the author analyses its language and stylistic convention used by this eminent traveller, and she examines his attitude toward the Chilean Indians. The author reflects on Domeyko’s knowledge of geography, his interests in mining mythology, or cartographic competences. The book is an attempt at presenting an enigmatic contradiction which is embedded in Domeyko’s biography as well as in his writings. The recurrent image of the flying fish — the emblem of Domeyko’s writing — is that which stands for this contradiction.