EXCELSIOR. A SYMBOL OF FLIGHT IN THE ROMANIAN LITERATURE

Abstract

A complex literary topos, present in Romanian literature in various forms,
along the evolution from folklore to contemporary writings, the flight is associated
with various motifs from the "excelsior" gallery. Romanian literature gives us a lot
of examples from the fairy tails to the communist literature, or from the first writings
present in Chronicles to the Postmodernity. Named, invoked, or even denied, the
flight is related to a complex symbolism. It often appears indirectly, as aspiration or
desire, but also as a form of escape from the real or the cultural canon. The flight is
a dream, sometimes a levitation, but also an imaginary journey. It also means the
passion of creation, even the hope of self-discovery. The flight is towards what we
aspire to, but also what we carry with us and in us.