The Image of the School in the Autobiographical Narratives of the Inhabitants of the Šalčininkai District

Abstract

The study aims to investigate, using the oral history method, the role of school in the autobiographical narratives of older residents in the Šalčininkai district, the prevailing attitudes towards it, and the cultural and social aspects of the past century reflected in the narratives under study.

The research material consists of autobiographical stories of the older generation recorded during the 2012 and 2016 expeditions to the Šalčininkai and Dieveniškės regions. The analysis highlighted the importance and sensitivity of this topic, the impact of hard labour and the dangers of war that distanced the participants from school, as well as their desire to share their experiences with others. A change in attitudes towards school was also observed: as living conditions changed, attending school came to be seen as a natural and accessible phenomenon for all. Finally, the analysed narratives revealed the self-esteem of the participants: a tendency to underestimate and devalue their own achievements, abilities and intelligence, or, conversely, a tendency to emphasise facts that demonstrate their other abilities.