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Philosophy (especially in I7-I8^,h centuries), Thcology (sińce Nicene council) and law science (incl. research on Roman law) have extensively discussed this notion. The notion of the Self and its substitutes likc ‘subjectivity’, ‘subject’, and related phenomena likc ‘consciousness” and ‘self-consciousness\ etc., was one of the main concepts of the Enlightenment project. The use of this concept leads to several dilemmas. The collective identities, the ‘selves’ like communities of modern type (nations), elites, etc. might be scen as an extension of this term (nation as a collective individuality and agency in one). The dilemmas are in that case multiplied, not reduced. In the year, as many East European countries celebrate their Centennials of Independence, and with respect to the some restorative strategies in our region it is challenging and stimulating to ask about these dilemmas (existing) at the core of our identity notions. Are we captives of our (false?) identity and subjectivity notions? The background of the concept has to be reminded and difficulties related to the rełigious aspect of subjectivity and community has to be presented. Special attention in the paper is devoted to two sample cases of how rełigious philosophy (Jewish and Catholic) after WW U dealt with these dilemmas.

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Hals/ka Leleń (Olsztyn, UWM)

Narrative Identity and the Issue of lntersubjectivity in "Vinland" by George Mackay Brown.

George Mackay Browns Ymland. first published in 1992. belongs to historical fiction, and reveals the narrative techniques focused on recording the epoch of Viking presence in Europę and Northern Atlantic. However, its array of narrative devices reveals much broader focus than just dcscription of the past. As it tcils of elevenlh-century Orkney and northern characters, it does not only tracę the exploits of Ranakl Sigmundson through the seas and oceans of the world, but also through his perception of himself and the world. What comes as foremost here is the narrative constitution of development of the northern man identity in his life cycle, from childhood to ripe old age. The multi-strand story offers insight into the northern identity on larger scalę as well. This is ultimately a way through the perilous realms of the self so as to become a maturę wise man. In all this the narrative constitution of identity is conditioned through conlinuous focus on inlcrsubjcctive perception of the story. The novel is on the one hand seemingly focused on adventure, in the way characteristic for popular literaturę, it is also oriented on poetic and philosophical showing the development of a man as an individual subject and as a representative of northern culture. Although the novel reveals the influence of older narrative techniques of saga, epic or ballad tradition, they are there not for their own sake. They are combined to ful fili and to comment on the role of

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