EN
For Cyprian Kamil Norwid (1821-1883) Mary and Martha are pre-eminently symbolic characters who represent two different philosophies of life. While Martha typifies the active attitude associated with values of the horizontal domain, Mary symbolizes contemplation directed towards values of the vertical dimension of life. The attributes of the two women are complementary, and jointly form the image of Norwid's 'complete' woman, a paragon that is missing in society. As the Bible was for Norwid the most important source of knowledge of real values, the profiles of those two women no doubt offered him an inspiration and a reference point when he staked out his own, Christian position in social, ethical and anthropological debates. The complementary images of Mary and Martha constitute Norwid's idea of a 'complete' woman and determine his views on women's role in society and the issue of women's emancipation