Reymont’s Graphomania – From the Diary

The negative critical reception of Władysław Stanisław Reymont’s satire From the Diary makesit a potential case for the analysis of the phenomenon of graphomania. The article offers a terminologicalclassifi cation of graphomania, based on the psychology of creativity as well as textanalysis and criticism. The work’s origin and its connection with a railway accident that seriouslyimpacted Reymont suggest that his graphomaniac writing episode was a way to regain his creativity.At the same time, the analysis of From the Diary enables the identifi cation of the stylistic manifestationsof graphomania. An essential element of satire is criticism of the bourgeoisie, and Reymont’sdepiction of this class underlines its consumerism, double morality, and imitation of the upperclasses.