Explanations in Pisma dyskursywne by Zygmunt Krasiński

Abstract

The article concerns issues related to explanations which the author has written as the editor of Pisma dyskursywne by Zygmunt Krasiński, published as a part of new edition of the Romantic writer’s Collected works. Editorial dilemmas associated with the structure of the explanations hold a special place in the case of this type of prose – philosophical, political, religious and literary- -critical. The nature of works is related, first of all, to the selection of the type of explanations: factual ones will thus outnumber linguistic ones in terms of number and volume. Second of all, the publisher needs to face the eternal problem of editors – what should be explained, and what should not? The article’s author deliberates on the possible outcome of a “difficult spot” being unexplained in a commented work. Further on, the author presents the main types of explanations according to their subject, which are present in the volume of Pisma dyskursywne: Krasiński’s own mistakes or fact-related inaccuracies; explanations related to the individuals described by the Romantic writer; bibliographical references; quotations and references to other texts; professional terms which are difficult for contemporary readers. The article’s conclusion is a general remark: all actions by a publisher related to editing explanations must have their source and legitimization in the commented work, they cannot, however, be aimed at emphasizing a textologist’s erudition and personality.