EN
The authors of the paper examine the phenomenon of self-creation as a universal element of culture that has always existed among human beings. It has both positive and negative aspects. The paper shows that it is impossible for a human being to be free from the way the social pressure influences the roles she plays, the masks she wears and the self-images she creates. At the same time, they underline the relationship between social perception of a person and the efficacy of her actions. In order to develop their point, the authors use examples of great personalities of the literature: Thomas Mann, Sartre, Gombrowicz, and Slowacki. They contend the main problem is how to find a balance between self-creation and being true to oneself and one's convictions, a balance between self-creation and the ability to be independent in one's attitudes and judgments. 'Brother, you will never get free from the society, you has come from it and there are no abstractions that can help you' (Witkacy).