Cygańska” przyjaźń – Józef Ignacy Kraszewski i środowisko warszawskich literatów

Abstract

We make a lasting friendship with people who have a character similar to ours. Our friend does not have to have life experiences similar to ours. This also applies to male friendship, the diversity of which is confirmed by the correspondence maintained by Józef Ignacy Kraszewski with two representatives of the bohemia in Warsaw. Analysis of letters J.I. Kraszewski and A. Wilkoński allow us to state that they were true friends who were in some way inseparable and able to count on each other in every situation. This is confirmed by their mutual kindness, open sympathy and constant contacts maintained by the humorist with the Kraszewski family. Similar origins and convergent experiences of the 1930s could also have influenced their friendship. However, when we compare their familiarity with the writer’s contacts with T. Lenartowicz, it will turn out that a real male friendship can appear between two people coming from completely different backgrounds and having different experiences from adult life. Their example also leads to the statement that initially male friendship may take the form of father-son relationship or student-master. It seems that the example of both artists can be seen as proof of the existence of not only a lasting and strong male friendship, but of any real friendship.