Harley‑Davidson on Polish Roads: the Mythical Aspects of Automotive Fascination

Authors

  • Jolanta Szymkowska‑Bartyzel Jagiellonian University, Poland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12797/AdAmericam.15.2014.15.11

Abstract

Harley‑Davidson is one of the most recognizable brands of automotive products. The brand is saturated with mythical meanings which include defiance, rebellion, adventure and the desire for limitless freedom. Harley‑Davidson is also a synonym of America – the motorcycle was created to make a “trip of a lifetime or a groundbreaking journey of purification,” and open American spaces are the necessary condition for fulfilling this myth. In Poland, the myth of Harley‑Davidson is also carefully cherished by enthusiasts, for whom Harley‑Davidson is much more than just a motorcycle. This text is an attempt to analyze the functioning of the Harley myth in Poland. Some texts of Polish culture using the Harley‑Davidson will be discussed as well as forms of practical implementation of Harley‑Davidson passion (H‑D clubs, rallies, etc.).

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Author Biography

  • Jolanta Szymkowska‑Bartyzel, Jagiellonian University, Poland

    assistant professor at the Institute of American Studies and Polish Diaspora, Jagiellonian University. She is one of the founders and editors of Ad Americam: Journal of American Studies. Her scholarly interests focus on the history and reception of American popular culture in Poland. She published a book Amerykański mit – polski konsument, czyli reklamowe oblicza Ameryki / American Myth – Polish Customer, or Commercial Faces of America about American myths and cultural motifs used for persuasive purposes in TV commercials. She is also an author of articles on American popular culture, Americanization and mass media communication.

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Published

30-12-2014

Issue

Vol. 15 (2014)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2014 Jolanta Szymkowska‑Bartyzel

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Szymkowska‑Bartyzel, Jolanta. “Harley‑Davidson on Polish Roads: The Mythical Aspects of Automotive Fascination”. Ad Americam, vol. 15, Dec. 2014, pp. 129-40, https://doi.org/10.12797/AdAmericam.15.2014.15.11.