The poem of
Adam
Mickiewicz
”Ode to youth’’
Ode is a kind of a song with verses of laudatory or thankful character.
Mickiewicz selected this typically neoclassical genre, the ode, and by selecting this form, he got
really close to the age of enlightenment. The poet directs his poem to the recipient specified in
the name of the poem. The poem depicts the conservatives from the age of Enlightenment.
Conservatives are opposed to the generation of young Romantics. Lyrical subject is encouraging
to break all the barriers that limit the human beings, and to discover new places and values.
By means of contrast the poem shows two different worlds. They’re fighting together for
domination. One of them is ‘the old world’, created by people of enlightenment. Mickiewicz is
suggesting that the people of the old world are selfish and because of them the world is empty.
The second world is full of young people, romantic ideas and energy. This is the reality where the
old people don’t see any values. These people don’t have any ideas for the future. They live in
the past. These Old people don’t fit to a new, changing world. The lyrical subject doesn’t want
that world, he wants to run away from this old world. He knows that world in young hands will
be better, it will be based on brotherhood, love and friendship. The world of the young is full of
dreams and plans for the future. Youth is a power, which can do miracles.
The poem was really popular, a lot of people read about it in newspapers, it got well-known
during the uprisings time.
Alicja Wałek
IT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!
It's happened! Young people have a voice. Old to rest. Old reality
leaves. We big farewell to the dead generation, sluggisch people
who don't have feelings and elation. Welcome the new young
generation which means the new reality. These new people are
having a higher goals! They are ready for join actions and
sacrifices. People who will overcome weakness and will fight for
themselves! Even at the cost od theire lives! they can take the
challenge and exceed existing horizons. The new reality is a
great force which hasn't been so far. Just: YOUNG FINALLY
HAVE A VOICE!!!
Wiktoria Kolecka