The Literary Journey of Helena Filochowska

Abstract

The article reconstructs the biography of a writer, journalist, and caretaker of soldiers in the Foreign Legion. It traces her life journey: Łomża – Kraków – travels across Europe – stay in Oran. It describes Filochowska’s connections with daily newspapers (“Goniec Krakowski”, “Ilustrowany Kurier Codzienny”) and periodicals (“Świat Kobiecy”). The author’s novels (Sztylet, Macierzyństwo, Alarm, Sierżant Szarota, Kariera panny Maniusi) addressed women’s issues from an aesthetic-somatic perspective. Filochowska wrote novellas and short stories – the article identifies their first press publications and their critical reception. Collections of novellas (Nasz kruk, Czarne łabędzie, Historia jednej nocy, Kobieta w masce, Kobra) were recognized by literary critics as interesting portrayals of women’s psychology, though somewhat one-sided in their emphasis on eroticism. From today’s perspective, the courage with which the author wrote about the issues of gender biology, as well as the subordination of women at home and in public spaces, justifies a renewed appreciation of her work.