Było im przez moment dobrze”. Panowie i słudzy w powieściach historycznych Szkoła luster Ewy Stachniak i Rozkosze nocy, czyli ostatnia podróż Jana hr. Potockiego Tomasza Jurasza

The subject of this article is an analysis of the ways in which the masculinity of the protagonists of the novels Szkoła luster (2022) by Ewa Stachniak and Rozkosze nocy, czyli ostatnia podróż Jana hr. Potockiego by Tomasz Jurasz (1997) is depicted, as well as the relationship between men in a hierarchical lord/servant system. The creations of Louis XV and Jan Potocki are part of the category of hegemonic masculinity distinguished by Raewynn Connell, which is characterized by the possession of power and a superior position in a community or institution. Their servants represent a model known as collaborative masculinity. They benefit from the existence of hegemony, but do not possess all of its attributes. The novelists show men in different situations than those associated with the traditional historical novel. Protagonists have to define themselves in relation to different roles based on their social position and prevailing patterns of masculinity, which , it turns out, they do not fit into.