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Original text in Polish : http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latarnik_(nowela)

Latarnik (eng. "lighthouse-keeper") - a novella by Henryk Sienkiewicz, first published in "Niwa" in 1881. It tells the story of Skawiński, a Polish emigre who was a lighthouse-keeper on the island. "Latarnik" is considered to be one of the best Polish novellas.

The origin of the novella

The story was written during Sienkiewicz's journey of the United States. His journey had begun in 1876. He was sending the letters to Poland(being in Partitions) which were printed in Gazeta Polska. Sienkiewicz was informing about writing a novella in footnotes: This story is based on a real-life incident, which was described by Julian Horain in one of his letters from America.The prototype for the main character Skawiński was the Pole Siellawa - a lighthouse-keeper, who had lost the job because he had been neglecting his duties due to reading "Murdelio" by Zygmunt Kaczkowski.

Time and Place of the action

The action of the novella takes place in 1870s in Aspinwall and on a lonely island near Panama. The fragments in which the author uses retrospection describe the events from 1830 - the November Uprising in which Skawiński had participated.

Characters

Skawiński - The main character is an old Pole, a migrant looking for a peaceful job in a place where he could settle. He led a stormy life - he fought in many wars and uprisings (the November Uprising, the Civil War etc.). The next stage in his life was searching for his place and taking up different jobs like harpooner, diamond seeker, he even had a cigar factory. All those jobs he lost in mysterious circumstances, being sure that it was a bad luck. A turning point in his life is taking a job as a lighthouse-keeper in Aspinwall. There he finally finds peace and leads a very modest life without leaving the lighthouse much.

Other characters

Izaak Falconbridge - the U.S.A consul in Panama. He hires Skawiński.

Johns - a harbour guard, who brings food to Skawiński every day.

Summary

The main character of the novella is Skawiński - a Pole who comes to Aspinwall to take a job of a lighthouse-keeper. He's tired of his life full of adventures, which usually ended badly for him. After taking part in an uprising he has to leave Poland. He is wandering all over the world, often risking his life. Eventually, he starts looking for a place to settle. His choice is Aspinwall and the lighthouse. He spends his time remembering the past and faithfully fulfilling his duties. He admires nature and makes friends with seagulls which visit his lighthouse. One day, Skawinski gets a few books in the usual package with food and he finds Mickiewicz's "Pan Tadeusz" in it. While reading the book he forgest where he is.He feels like he's in his homeland, which he misses a lot. He finally falls asleep and dreams about Poland. In the morning he is informed that because of his neglect a boat crashed. He realizes that he forgot to turn on the light. He is laid off and has to begin his wandering once again. But this time he has a part of his homeland with him - the book "Pan Tadeusz".