Ecological Humanities in Polish Studies, or about Green Reading of the Legends about Lake Gopło

The author considers the way in which Polish studies could contribute to meeting the obligations of ecological humanities. The analysis of excerpts from the core curriculum of the Polish language subject and the reference to Kenneth White’s geopoetics suggest that the solution at school could be the use of the green reading method in Polish lessons and the readings available in the core curriculum: legends about Lake Gopło and Popiel referring to the beginnings of Polish statehood. As the analysis of the content of the legends shows, they also have a symbolic potential connected with the water element and referring to the folk tradition. A profiled reading, exposing this content, could contribute to awakening the ecological sensitivity of pupils, which is one of the important components of their ecological awareness.