U NAS INACZEJ BY B. ZALESKI: IMAGOLOGICAL DIMENSION

Abstract

The article studies the image of a Ukrainian on the material of a piece U nas inaczej (We Have It Differently/Other) by Bohdan Józef Zaleski. The task before us and the available data and resources will require the algorithm proposed by Joep Leersen, which we will try to use.

The use of Ukrainian cultural codes can also be perceived as a bow to the Ukrainian identity, a demonstration of perfect mastery of the apparatus. It is not about subtraction, appropriation, but the targeted strengthening of the impres- sion of the image in the target audience.

The accented word “inaczej”, repeated as many as three times, suggests several thoughts: U nas inaczej, spoken sublimely, could “attract” the author to Ukraine, contrasting it with the rest of the world; or bitterness, envy of the “Cossack soul” that resides in Zaleski’s dream Ukraine, while “us” – that is, Zaleski – has a completely different, undesirable landscape before his eyes. The feeling of being surrounded by Strange gave birth to a desire to defend otherness in oneself. The imagology toolkit leads to the careful conclusion that the second line of the refrain is a plaintive cry from emigration: firstly, because of the impossibility of feeling belonging to the environment and creative realization; secondly, the impossibility to fully feel oneself in one or the other of one’s identities, the feeling of being a stranger to both; thirdly – temporal separation, including due to physical absence and gradual break with the modernity of their homelands.It is appropriate to note that Zaleski’s texts were aimed at political compatriots in order to “suspend disbelief” to the Ukrainian-Other. The poet realizes that the goal set before him – to fraternize, to unite two peoples, fight “our and your freedom” union cannot be achieved with harps in hand alone. The use of verbs in the first person and – especially – the mention of elements of the singer lead to the idea of the self-image of the poet, which is a mix of the image of a Ukrainian created by him – the Other – a Cossack on a horse – with the attributes of the singer, which he associates with himself. The author is no stranger to either the spected culture or the culture of his political homeland, which creates quite interesting perspective for an image.