Trees and Leaves in the Last Poems by Mickiewicz

Bernadetta KUCZERA-CHACHULSKA

Instytut Badań Literackich Polskiej Akademii Nauk, ul. Nowy Świat 72, 00-330 Warszawa, Poland , Poland

Abstract

The paper discusses the motif of trees in Adam Mickiewicz’s late lyrical works, while focusing on the distich “Uciec z duszą na listek” [“To escape with one’s soul onto a little leaf”]. An analysis of the poem, combined with a comparison between the motifs included in it and the motif of a tree present in other works by Mickiewicz, leads to revealing nature (trees) as a main artistic vehicle for the themes of transformation, infinity, and spirituality.

Keywords:

Mickiewicz, poetry, tree, leaves, transformation