19th Century: Birth of Russian National Literature
Russian Literary Identity: Russians associate their identity with producing some of the greatest works of literature.
Distinctive Characteristics: Unlike Western writers, Russian writers prioritize moral example over career or monetary gains.
Political Pressures: Russian writers faced significant political pressures unlike their Western counterparts.
Prominent Writers: Key figures include Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and Turgenev.
Cultural Context: Russia, once isolated, opened up to the West, leading to a rich influx of Western texts.
Key Literary Developments
Alexander Pushkin: Blended Western sophistication with Russian themes; his work "Eugene Onegin" is a novel in verse.
Government Censorship: Literature became a means of discussing social issues under censorship.
Moral Authority: Writers took on roles of questioning and challenging power, often camouflaging critiques in their works.
Influence of Major Authors
Ivan Turgenev: Presented serfs as individuals, influencing societal changes like the emancipation of serfs.
Leo Tolstoy & Fyodor Dostoevsky: Known for moral and prophetic insight; Tolstoy focused on domestic themes, while Dostoevsky explored deeper philosophical questions.
End of the 19th and Early 20th Century
Anton Chekhov: Master of short stories, focused on posing problems rather than offering solutions.