Page 2: Character Profiles and Social Structure
This page delves deeper into the character profiles of "Pan Tadeusz" and provides insight into the social structure of Polish nobility depicted in the epic.
Zosia Horeszkówna is introduced as the young, innocent ward of the Judge and the granddaughter of the Pantler. Her character represents the virtues of modesty and practicality.
Telimena, a distant relative of the Soplicas and Zosia's guardian, is portrayed as a worldly woman with cosmopolitan tastes, contrasting with the more traditional characters.
The Pantler Horeszko, though only known through stories, is described as a patriot who supported the Constitution of May 3rd. His pride and forgiveness play crucial roles in the backstory.
The Count, the last of the Horeszko line, is characterized as a romantic figure who views life through a literary lens.
Gerwazy Rębajło, the faithful servant of the Horeszko family, is driven by a desire for vengeance but ultimately learns to forgive.
The page also outlines the virtues and vices of the Polish nobility, providing a balanced view of this social class. It categorizes the nobility into different ranks, from magnates to lesser gentry.
Definition: Szlachta - The Polish nobility, a legally privileged class with distinct rights and obligations in the Kingdom of Poland and later, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Example: The character of the Count exemplifies the romantic tendencies of some nobility, as he "sees life as literature and views Zosia as a nymph."