THE REPRESENTATION OF NATURE, SOCIETY, AND MORALITY IN “THE SEASONS” BY KRISTIJONAS DONELAITIS

Abstract

This article analyzes The Seasons (Metai) by Kristijonas Donelaitis as a foundational work of Lithuanian literature, focusing on its depiction of rural life, moral philosophy, and the cyclical structure of nature. The study explores how the poem reflects 18th-century Lithuanian peasant culture and conveys ethical values through seasonal imagery. The findings demonstrate that Donelaitis not only documents social realities but also constructs a moral framework rooted in harmony with nature and community traditions.