Time and space - subjective perception of time and space in memoirs and correspondence of Artur Dolinski (1831-1909)

Abstract

The article addresses the perception of time and space through the lens of microhistory. It analyzes the experiences of 19th-century residents of the Vilnius Governorate, territories annexed to the Russian Empire during the partitions of Poland. This analysis is made possible by the epistolary legacy of two impoverished noble families, the Doliński and Łazarowicz families. A decades-long correspondence (1843–1870) between dispersed members of a Polish family within the Russian Empire (as men entered civil service and were sent to fulfill their duties deep into Russia) provides an opportunity to delve into the rhythm of individual lives, shed light on their daily existence, and distinguish different ways of experiencing time and space. The correspondence itself also serves as a form of communication worth examining in the context of time – the exchange of letters became an ongoing conversation between relatives over decades. This unhurried dialogue reflected "ordinary days," significant and transformative events, cultural and civilizational differences between larger cities and the provinces, and the evolving socio-political landscape.