Russian literature of the "golden age". Formation of literature as a social institution. 19th century - the “golden age” of Russian literature
19th century
The 19th century is called the “Golden Age” of Russian poetry and the century of Russian literature on a global scale. Golden Age of Russian Literature is a galaxy of geniuses of the art of words, prose writers and poets, who, thanks to their exquisite and unsurpassed creative skill, defined further development Russian and foreign culture.
The subtle interweaving of classicism and social realism in literature fully corresponded to the national ideas of the time. For the first time, acute social problems began to be raised in literary works: confrontation between the individual and society, disagreement with outdated principles, the need to change priorities.
We should not forget that the literary leap that took place in the 19th century was prepared by the entire course of the literary process of the 17th and 18th centuries. The 19th century is the time of formation of the Russian literary language, which took shape largely thanks to.
made a real revolution in literature. “Eugene Onegin”, “The Queen of Spades”, “Borodino” not only replenished the fund of Russian classics, but also became a certain stylistic presentation, which was repeatedly used in the future by many domestic and world writers.
Heroes of the Golden Age of Russian Literature
Literary heroes appear for whom personal freedom is primarily important. A prominent representative is Tatyana Larina, which did not need the idle tinsel of social events, and for which solitude and philosophical reflection were more preferable. Likewise, hero Alexander Chatsky- a person who openly expressed disagreement with the generally accepted way of life of the conservative nobility. The thirst for the reconstruction of society among enlightened people contributed to the emergence of secret societies, in which the majority of writers belonged.
The central figure of this time was Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin.
began his ascent to the literary Olympus with the poem “Ruslan and Lyudmila” in 1920. And his novel in verse “Eugene Onegin” was called an encyclopedia of Russian life. The romantic poems “The Bronze Horseman” (1833), “The Bakhchisarai Fountain”, and “The Gypsies” ushered in the era of Russian romanticism. Many poets and writers considered him their teacher and continued the traditions of creating literary works laid down by him.
But the 19th century began with the heyday of sentimentalism and the emergence of romanticism. These literary trends found expression primarily in poetry. The poetic works of poets come to the fore. The “Golden Age” of Russian poetry was completed with his creativity.
He was one of these poets. His romantic poem “Mtsyri”, the poetic story “Demon”, and many romantic poems are known. It is interesting that Russian poetry of the 19th century was closely connected with the socio-political life of the country. Poets tried to comprehend the idea of their special purpose. The poet in Russia was considered a conductor of divine truth, a prophet. The poets called on the authorities to listen to their words. Vivid examples of understanding the role of the poet and influence on the political life of the country are the poems “The Prophet”, the ode “Liberty”, “The Poet and the Crowd”, the poem “On the Death of the Poet” and many others.
Along with poetry, prose began to develop. Prose writers of the beginning of the century were influenced by the English historical novels of W. Scott, the translations of which were extremely popular. The development of Russian prose of the 19th century began with prose works and. Pushkin, under the influence of English historical novels, creates the story “ Captain's daughter", where the action takes place against the backdrop of grandiose historical events: during the Pugachev rebellion. did a colossal amount of work researching this historical period. This work was largely political in nature and was aimed at those in power.
and outlined the main artistic types that would be developed by writers throughout the 19th century. This is the artistic type of the “superfluous man”, an example of which is Eugene Onegin in the novel, and the so-called type of “little man”, which is shown in his story “The Overcoat”, as well as in the story “The Station Agent”.
Literature inherited its journalistic and satirical character from the 18th century. In the prose poem “Dead Souls,” the writer, in a sharp satirical manner, shows a swindler who buys up dead souls, various types of landowners who are the embodiment of various human vices (the influence of classicism is evident). The comedy “The Inspector General” is based on the same plan. Full of satirical images and works. Literature continues to satirically depict Russian reality. The tendency to depict the vices and shortcomings of Russian society is a characteristic feature of all Russian classical literature. It can be traced in the works of almost all writers of the 19th century. At the same time, many writers implement the satirical tendency in a grotesque form. Examples of grotesque satire are the works “The Nose”, Shchedrin’s “Lord Golovlevs”, “The History of a City”.
Since the middle of the 19th century, the formation of Russian realistic literature has been taking place, which was created against the backdrop of the tense socio-political situation that developed in Russia during the reign of Nicholas I. A crisis of the serfdom system is brewing, and contradictions between the authorities and the common people are strong. There is an urgent need to create realistic literature that is acutely responsive to the socio-political situation in the country. Literary critic denotes a new realistic direction in literature. His position is being developed. A dispute arises between Westerners and Slavophiles about the paths of historical development of Russia.
Writers turn to socio-political problems of Russian reality. The genre of the realistic novel is developing. They create their own works. Socio-political and philosophical issues predominate. Literature is distinguished by a special psychologism.
The development of poetry subsides somewhat. It is worth noting the poetic works of Nekrasov, who was the first to introduce social issues into poetry. His poem “Who Lives Well in Rus'?” is known, as well as many poems that reflect on the difficult and hopeless life of the people.
The literary process of the late 19th century discovered names, . The latter proved himself to be a master of small things literary genre- a storyteller, as well as an excellent playwright. The competitor was Maxim Gorky.
The end of the 19th century was marked by the emergence of pre-revolutionary sentiments. The realistic tradition began to fade away. It was replaced by so-called decadent literature, distinctive features which included mysticism, religiosity, as well as a premonition of changes in the socio-political life of the country. Subsequently, decadence developed into symbolism. This opens a new page in the history of Russian literature.
Representatives of the Golden Age of Russian Literature
The harsh judges of aristocratic circles were – Marlinsky, in their works they despised the upper strata of society for their vanity, selfishness, hypocrisy and moral laxity. He introduced sincere romance and trembling dreaminess into Russian classical literature. In his poems, Zhukovsky tried to get away from the gray everyday life in order to show the sublime world of feelings that surrounds us. Without a doubt, one of the brightest representatives of the Golden Age of Russian literature is the famous poet, the father of the Russian literary language. Philosophical concepts were also characteristic of the literature of the Golden Age. They are most clearly manifested in creativity. Throughout his entire creative career, the author admires the Decembrist movements and defends human rights and freedoms. Lermontov's poems were full of opposition calls and criticism of the imperial power.
The golden age of Russian classics was also represented in the dramatic genre. Plays Anton Pavlovich Chekhov from the moment of their creation to the present day they have been staged in many theaters around the world. Using subtle satire, Chekhov ridiculed the vices of human nature and expressed contempt for the vices of representatives of the noble classes.
Early XIX century is a turning point in art, which marked the entry of Russian literature onto the world stage. Literature began to affirm the high principles of individual freedom. It was during this period that society began to learn to read between the lines, which was of particular concern to the government. And despite the harsh conditions in which Russian literature developed, it was still able to take its rightful place in the fund of world art.
The first half of the 19th century was the time of formation and development of the norms of the modern Russian literary language, increasing writers’ interest in folk traditions and folklore and began publishing monuments of folk art.
So, in the 1830s, the writer, lexicographer and ethnographer V.I. Dahlem (1801-1872) published a collection of Russian fairy tales, a collection of “There Were and Fables,” and in the 60s, “Proverbs of the Russian People,” which included more than 30 thousand proverbs, sayings and jokes. In 1863-1864. Four volumes of his main work were published - “ Explanatory dictionary living Great Russian language."
The first reformer of Russian literature was N.M. Karamzin, A.S. also plays a big role in this. Pushkin. And although already in the 18th century. we can talk about the existence of Russian masters of words only in the 19th century. a profession appears - writer. In the second half of the 19th century. There is a flowering of the creativity of many writers who have gone down in the history of not only Russian, but also world literature.
Various literary movements and schools contributed to the further development of literary genres. The dominant role at the beginning of the century belonged to the story, and at the end of the century - to the novel. Epistolary and memoir genres are being created. Interest in a person’s inner experiences increases; this finds human expression in sentimentalism, and then in romanticism, which took shape like steel at the beginning of the 19th century.
One of the main genres at the end of the 18th – beginning of the 19th centuries. there was romanticism. The origin of romanticism in Russia is associated with the socio-ideological atmosphere of Russian life - the nationwide rise after Patriotic War 1812 with the formation of noble revolutionism, the aggravation of personal self-awareness. The poetry of the Decembrists is imbued with the pathos of love of freedom and struggle, the idea of civil service to the fatherland: K.F. Ryleeva (1795-1826), V.K. Kuchelbecker (1797-1846), A.I. Odoevsky (1802-1839). The hero of Ryleev’s poems “Voinarovsky” and “Nalivaiko” is a tyrant-fighter citizen with a tragic fate.
The Lyceum, post-Lyceum and “southern” lyrics of A.S. were imbued with freedom-loving motifs close to the poetry of the Decembrists. Pushkin (1799-1837), in which the personal pathos of the great poet was clearly expressed.
The romantic apotheosis of personality is also expressed in the early lyrics of Lermontov M.Yu. (1814-1841). Unprecedented intensity of emotions and intense introspection - character traits lyrical hero Lermontov.
There was another direction in Russian poetry - elegiac. The poets of this movement were V.A. Zhukovsky (1783-1852), Batyushkov K.N. (1798-1831), N.M. Yazykov (1803-1846), E.A. Baratynsky (1800-1844). The work of these poets is imbued with dissatisfaction with the existing. Not believing in the possibility of social harmony, they sought to achieve harmony in the inner world of man.
An intermediate link between romanticism and realism was the poetry of A.V. Koltsova (1809-1842). Koltsov showcased the work and life of peasants, opened up the world of the peasant’s inner experiences to Russian lyric poetry, and introduced the element of folk song into poetry (“Don’t make noise, rye,” “Mower”).
Poetry N.A. Nekrasova (1821-1878) is realistic and civic-minded. The poet showed the joyless and dreary life of the Russian village and amazing images of Russian women. His “muse of revenge and sadness” is especially sensitive to injustice and human pain. Civic journalism was further developed in the works of poets I.S. Nikitina (1824-1861), A.N. Pleshcheeva (1828-1893).
Philosophical and love lyrics by F.I. Tyutcheva (1803-1873) is marked by a split soul and merciless introspection; sincere lyrics, with a pronounced musical beginning of a psychological novel - in the verses of A.K. Tolstoy (1817-1875); in verses by A.A. Feta (real name Shenshin, 1820-1892) – fleetingness and variability of feelings; sensitive perception of nature and harmonious fusion with it; The works of Ya.P. are distinguished by their musicality. Polonsky (1819-1899) and A.N. Apukhtin (1840-1893); subtle psychologism is characteristic of I.F.’s poems. Annensky (1855-1909). In the landscape lyrics of A.N. Maykova (1812-1897) – high contemplation of ordinary Russian nature.
From the end of the 30s, the formation of realism began, the founder of which is rightfully considered A.S. Pushkin. Pushkin is the founder of all new Russian literature. His poetic (“Eugene Onegin”, “Ruslan and Lyudmila”, “Prisoner of the Caucasus”, “Bakhchisarai Fountain”, poems, epigrams, fairy tales) and prose (“Belkin’s Tales”, “Arap of Peter the Great”, “Dubrovsky”, “ Queen of Spades", "The Captain's Daughter"), the works are written in a language that is amazing in its ease, accuracy, grace and subtle irony. The scale and independence of his thinking, the gift of penetrating into other cultures and eras, the ability to pose and discuss “eternal questions of existence” - about death and immortality, love, freedom and moral duty, humility and his opposition to blind fate - all this predetermined his central position not only in Russian literature, but also in Russian culture as a whole.
The emergence of the “natural school” and critical realism is associated with the name of N.V. Gogol (1809-1852), whose work was characterized by a pronounced critical orientation, especially clearly manifested in the story “The Overcoat” with its theme of the humiliation of the “little man.” The grotesque beginning of the “St. Petersburg stories” (“The Nose”, “Portrait”) was developed in the comedy “The Inspector General”.
In the poem-novel “Dead Souls,” ridicule of landowner Russia was combined with the pathos of the spiritual transformation of man and the creation of eternal human types.
The founder of Russian literary criticism V.G. Belinsky (1811-1848) preached the principles of realism, democracy, and nationality. Placing criticism of existing reality at the forefront, he formulated the principles of the “natural school” - a realistic trend in Russian literature.
Belinsky called the novel in verse by Pushkin “Eugene Onegin” “an encyclopedia of Russian life.” This is a story about an era and human destinies. The realistic tendency was also expressed in Lermontov’s novel “A Hero of Our Time,” marked by social reflection and psychological content.
In the novel by I.A. Goncharov (1812-1891) “Oblomov” the fate of the main character is revealed not only as a social phenomenon (“Oblomovism”), but also as a philosophical understanding of the Russian national character, a special moral path opposing the vanity of all-consuming “progress”. The conflict between “realism” and “romanticism” appears as a significant conflict in Russian life in the novel “An Ordinary Story.”
A remarkable master of the classical realistic novel was I.S. Turgenev (1818-1883). In the novels “The Noble Nest”, “On the Eve”, “Fathers and Sons”, “Rudin”, “Smoke”, “Nove”, Turgenev described the life and ideals of the new generation of various intelligentsia of the 50s - 70s of the 19th century, the conflict of the “fathers” " and "children", "going to the people."
The pinnacle of critical realism was the work of L. N. Tolstoy (1828-1910). A long period of Russian life - from the beginning of the 19th century. until the beginning of the twentieth century. - presented in his novels. In the epic “War and Peace,” the writer recreates the life of various layers of Russian society during the War of 1812, the patriotic impulse of the people, and the paths of spiritual self-determination of the individual. The novel “Anna Karenina” is about the tragedy of a woman in the grip of a destructive “criminal” passion, about the destruction of family foundations, the novel “Resurrection” is an irreconcilable criticism of the social order, everything way of life"educated classes".
The master of the psychological novel F. M. Dostoevsky (1812-1881) in his works “Crime and Punishment”, “The Brothers Karamazov”, “The Idiot”, “Humiliated and Insulted”, “Demons” through the image of “the depths of the human soul” revealed the most difficult personal and social conflicts of the transitional era in the life of Russia showed a painful search for truth, God and harmony.
Excellent examples of the satirical genre are the works of M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin (1826-1889). The writer created a satirical image of the Russian bureaucracy as a product of the autocratic-serf system (“Poshekhon Antiquity”, “Provincial Sketches”, “Pompadours and Pompadours.”). In “The History of One City”, parodying official historiography, the writer created a gallery of grotesque images of city rulers; in the famous “Fairy Tales” in the images of “Wise Minnows” - the morals of a new class for Russia - the bourgeoisie. The socio-psychological novel “The Golovlevs” is about the spiritual and physical degradation of the nobility.
The new stage in the development of realism found its most vivid expression in the work of A. P. Chekhov (1860-1904), the author of feuilletons, short humorous and “depressing” stories, and innovative plays. The idea of the death of a person under the burden of dull everyday life was the leading motive in his short stories “The Man in a Case” and “Ward No. 6”.
A.P. Chekhov, a subtle psychologist, a master of subtext, combining humor and lyricism, wrote the plays “The Seagull”, “Uncle Vanya”, “Sister’s Shooting Gallery”, “The Cherry Orchard”, imbued with a special alarming atmosphere of foreboding of an impending catastrophe. The writer created a new structure of dramatic action, capable of including any manifestations of life, formed not by events or struggle characters, but by the development of key themes, moods, “undercurrents,” irony and lyrical symbolism. Chekhov's plays had a significant influence on the development of domestic and world drama.
The development of Russian theater is inextricably linked with literature. At the beginning of the century, the canons of classicism with its inherent pomp and rhetoric were in effect on the Russian stage, and the repertoire was dominated by plays with mythological plots. But already in the 20-30s, romanticism with tragic themes prevailed. Wonderful dramatic images were created at the Alexandria Theater by actors V. A. Karatygin (1802-1853), P. S. Mochalov (1800-1848).
Gradually, realistic traditions began to dominate in drama. This was facilitated by the dramaturgy of A. S. Griboedov (the comedy “Woe from Wit”), A. S. Pushkin (the drama “Boris Godunov”), and N. V. Gogol (the comedy “The Inspector General”).
These and other plays were staged at the Moscow Maly and St. Petersburg Alexandrinsky theaters. Vivid images created in the small theater an outstanding actor, former serf M.S. Shchepkin (1788-1863), and at the Alexandria Theater - actor A.E. Martynov (1816-1860), son of a serf peasant.
In the second half of the 19th century, the Moscow Maly and St. Petersburg Alexandrinsky theaters continued to remain centers of theatrical life. The central place in the repertoire of the Maly Theater was occupied by comedies and socio-psychological dramas by A.N. Ostrovsky (1823-1886). In his plays, Ostrovsky brought out a gallery of types - from tyrants gripped by a passion for money - merchants, officials, landowners to numerous servants, hangers-on ("Our people - we will be numbered!", "Profitable place", "Thunderstorm", etc.). The playwright portrayed artisans, working intelligentsia, poor townspeople, and provincial actors with great sympathy (“Dowry,” “Forest,” etc.). his comedies and socio-psychological plays laid the foundation for the national repertoire of the Russian theater.
The development of the reformed theater was greatly influenced by talented actors: actors of the Maly Theater Prov Sadovsky, Maria Ermolova, Alexander Sumbatov-Yuzhin, Alexander Lensky, actors of the Alexandria Theater Maria Savina, Vladimir Davydov, Konstantin Varlamov.
In the 70s, private theater groups and theaters began to be created. On the initiative of A.N. Ostrovsky and N.G. Rubinstein (1835-1881), an Artistic Circle was created from talented youth; in 1872, director and playwright A.F. Fedotov opened in Moscow " People's Theater" Later the following were created: “Pushkin Theater” by the artist of the Moscow Maly Theater A.A. Brenko and the Russian Drama Theater by entrepreneur F.A. Corsham.
In 1882, the monopoly of the “imperial” theaters was abolished, which had an impact positive influence for the development of provincial theaters, the founding of private and “people’s theatres”.
In 1898 K.S. Stanislavsky and V.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko opened the Moscow Art Theater (Moscow Art Theater, Moscow Art Theater). Its founders set the goal “... to create the first reasonable, moral public theater...”.
CONCLUSION
The beginning of the 19th century was a time of cultural and spiritual upsurge in Russia. The Patriotic War of 1812 accelerated the growth of the national self-awareness of the Russian people and its consolidation. The growth of national self-awareness of the people during this period had a huge impact on the development of literature, fine arts, theater and music. The autocratic-serf system with its class politics hindered the development of Russian culture. Children of non-noble origin received elementary education in parish schools. Gymnasiums were created for the children of nobles and officials, they gave the right to enter the university. In the first half of the 19th century, seven universities were founded in Russia. In addition to the existing Moscow University, Dorpat, Vilna, Kazan, Kharkov, St. Petersburg and Kiev universities were established. Higher government officials were trained in privileged educational institutions - lyceums. Book publishing and magazine and newspaper business continued to develop. In 1813, there were 55 state-owned printing houses in the country. Buildings built in the classicist style are distinguished by a clear and calm rhythm and precise proportions. Foreign troupes and serf theaters continued to play a major role in the theatrical life of Russia. Shchepkin, Mochalov - actors. In those days, not everyone realized the true significance of his work. The charmingly talented Alyabyev, Varlamov, Gurilev enriched Russian music with charming romances. In the first half of the 19th century, Russian musical culture rose to unprecedented heights. A.S. Pushkin became a symbol of his era, when there was a rapid rise in cultural development Russia. Pushkin's time is called the "Golden Age" of Russian culture. M. Yu. Lermontov took Pushkin’s sonorous lyre into his hands. The development of Russian culture first half of the 19th century century, ultimately, was determined by the economic and socio-political processes taking place in the life of the country. In addition, in the middle of the 19th century, the growing global importance of Russian culture was increasingly realized.
In the 19th century For the first time, domestic science achieved great and serious success. The research of Russian scientists - mathematicians, physicists, chemists, biologists, astronomers, geographers - made a significant contribution to the development of world scientific thought. Mathematics and natural science acquired particular importance in the 19th century. The schools of Russian scientific thought, created at this time, prepared the basis for the development of domestic equipment and technology of the twentieth century.
So, the 19th century - the “golden age of Russian culture” - is unique and multifaceted. Russian civilization of the 19th century. successfully bridged the gap between domestic and European traditions, while maintaining its originality. Domestic scientists have made a serious contribution to world scientific and technological progress and have become famous abroad.
It was a time of moral and philosophical search for freedom and justice. Estate-noble culture gradually lost its monopoly position; A new social layer, the intelligentsia, came to the fore in Russia, and a unique opposition culture of protest and dissent emerged. An important idea professed by the revolutionary intelligentsia was the idea of self-sacrifice in the name of the people - even to the point of accepting a painful death for them. Revolutionary ideology turned out to be attractive to the Russian people, and the 19th century left it as a legacy to the 20th century.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Allenov M. M., Evangulova O. S., Lifshits L. I. Russian art of the 10th-early 20th century M., 1989.
2. Gurevich P.S. Philosophy of culture. M. Aspect press. !995. –589s.
3. Gurevich P.S. Culturology.- M.: Gardariki, 1999 – 533 p.
4. History of folk crafts. M., 1937 – 355 p.
5. Kondakov I.V. Introduction to the history of Russian culture. M., 1997 - 215 p.
6. Culture and art of ancient Rus'. Collection. M., 1969 – 105 pp.
7. Cultural studies. History of world culture: Textbook for universities/Ed. BUT. Voskresenskaya - M.: UNITY-DANA, Unity, 2003 - 759 p.
8. The best abstracts on cultural studies/Compiled. A. Kovalenko. Series "Bank of Abstracts". – Rostov-on-Don: “Phoenix”, 2001 - 320 p.
9. Samokhvalova V.I. Culturology: Short course lectures. – M.: Yurayt – Publishing House, 2002 – 269 p.
10. Fofanov V.P. Social philosophy: towards a new research program // Humanities in Siberia. - 1996. – No. 1 565 p.
INTRODUCTION
1. CULTURAL AND SOCIAL LIFE OF RUSSIA IN THE 19TH CENTURY
2. TRENDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION
3. XIX CENTURY: RUSSIAN SCIENCE COMES TO THE WORLD LEVEL
3.1. RUSSIAN MUSICAL CULTURE
3.2. PAINTING IN THE 19TH CENTURY: “ACADEMICIAN” AND “PEREDVIZHNIK”
3.3. ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN PLANNING
3.4. "GOLDEN AGE" OF RUSSIAN LITERATURE
CONCLUSION
Kondakov I.V. Introduction to the history of Russian culture. M., 1997. p. 7
Gurevich P.S. Culturology.- M.: Gardariki, 1999 p. 268
Culturology. History of world culture: Textbook for universities/Ed. BUT. Voskresenskaya - M.: UNITY-DANA, Unity, 2003 p. 508
Samokhvalova V.I. Culturology: A short course of lectures. – M.: Yurait – Publishing house, 2002. p. 115
The best abstracts on cultural studies/Compiled by. A. Kovalenko. Series "Bank of Abstracts". – Rostov-on-Don: “Phoenix”, 2001 p. 93
Culturology. History of world culture: Textbook for universities/Ed. BUT. Voskresenskaya - M.: UNITY-DANA, Unity, 2003 p. 509
Allenov M. M., Evangulova O. S., Lifshits L. I. Russian art of the 10th-early 20th centuries M., 1989. p.36
Fofanov V.P. Social philosophy: towards a new research program // Humanities in Siberia. – 1996. – No. 1. p. 348.
Gurevich P.S. Philosophy of culture. M. Aspect prss. !995. With. 115
History of folk crafts. M., 1937 – p.56.
Culture and art of ancient Rus'. Collection. M., 1969 – p. 93.
Related information.
The 19th century gave birth a large number of Russian talented prose writers and poets. Their works quickly burst into the world and took their rightful place in it. The work of many authors around the world was influenced by them. general characteristics Russian literature of the 19th century has become the subject of study in a separate section in literary criticism. Undoubtedly, the prerequisites for such a rapid cultural rise were events in political and social life.
Story
The main trends in art and literature are formed under the influence of historical events. If in the 18th century social life in Russia was relatively measured, then the next century included many important vicissitudes that influenced not only the further development of society and politics, but also the formation of new trends and trends in literature.
The striking historical milestones of this period were the war with Turkey, the invasion of Napoleonic army, the execution of oppositionists, the abolition of serfdom and many other events. All of them are reflected in art and culture. A general description of Russian literature of the 19th century cannot do without mentioning the creation of new stylistic norms. The genius of the art of words was A.S. Pushkin. This great century begins with his work.
Literary language
The main merit of the brilliant Russian poet was the creation of new poetic forms, stylistic devices and unique, previously unused plots. Pushkin managed to achieve this thanks to his comprehensive development and excellent education. One day he set himself the goal of achieving all the peaks in education. And he achieved it by the age of thirty-seven. Pushkin's heroes became atypical and new for that time. The image of Tatyana Larina combines beauty, intelligence and characteristics of the Russian soul. This literary type had no analogues in our literature before.
Answering the question: “What is the general characteristic of Russian literature of the 19th century?”, a person with at least basic philological knowledge will remember such names as Pushkin, Chekhov, Dostoevsky. But it was the author of “Eugene Onegin” who made a revolution in Russian literature.
Romanticism
This concept originates from Western medieval epic. But by the 19th century it acquired new shades. Originating in Germany, romanticism penetrated into the work of Russian authors. In prose, this direction is characterized by a desire for mystical motives and folk legends. The poetry traces the desire to transform life for the better and the glorification of folk heroes. The opposition and their tragic end became fertile ground for poetic creativity.
The general characteristics of Russian literature of the 19th century are marked by romantic moods in the lyrics, which were quite often found in the poems of Pushkin and other poets of his galaxy.
As for prose, new forms of the story have appeared here, among which the fantastic genre occupies an important place. Vivid examples romantic prose - early works Nikolai Gogol.
Sentimentalism
With the development of this direction, Russian literature of the 19th century begins. General prose is sensual and focuses on the reader's perception. Sentimentalism penetrated into Russian literature at the end of the 18th century. Karamzin became the founder of the Russian tradition in this genre. In the 19th century he gained a number of followers.
Satirical prose
It was at this time that satirical and journalistic works appeared. This trend can be traced primarily in the work of Gogol. Starting his creative career with a description of his small homeland, this author later moved on to all-Russian social topics. It is difficult today to imagine what Russian literature of the 19th century would have been like without this master of satire. The general characteristics of his prose in this genre come down not only to a critical look at the stupidity and parasitism of the landowners. The satirical writer “traversed” almost all layers of society.
A masterpiece of satirical prose was the novel “The Golovlevs,” dedicated to the theme of the poor spiritual world of landowners. Subsequently, the work of Saltykov-Shchedrin, like the books of many other satirical writers, became the starting point for the emergence
Realistic novel
In the second half of the century, realistic prose developed. Romantic ideals turned out to be untenable. There was a need to show the world as it really is. Dostoevsky's prose is an integral part of such a concept as Russian literature of the 19th century. The general description briefly represents a list of important features of this period and the prerequisites for the occurrence of certain phenomena. As for Dostoevsky's realistic prose, it can be characterized as follows: the stories and novels of this author became a reaction to the mood that prevailed in society in those years. Depicting prototypes of people he knew in his works, he sought to consider and solve the most pressing issues of the society in which he moved.
In the first decades, the country glorified Mikhail Kutuzov, then the romantic Decembrists. This is clearly evidenced by Russian literature of the early 19th century. The general characteristics of the end of the century can be summed up in a few words. This is a revaluation of values. It was not the fate of the entire people, but its individual representatives that came to the fore. Hence the appearance in prose of the image of the “superfluous person.”
Folk poem
In the years when the realistic novel took a dominant position, poetry faded into the background. A general description of the development of Russian literature of the 19th century allows us to trace the long path from dreamy poetry to a truthful novel. In this atmosphere, Nekrasov creates his brilliant work. But his work can hardly be classified as one of the leading genres of the mentioned period. The author combined several genres in his poem: peasant, heroic, revolutionary.
End of the century
At the end of the 19th century, Chekhov became one of the most read authors. Despite the fact that at the beginning of his creative career, critics accused the writer of coldness towards current social topics, his works received undeniable public recognition. Continuing to develop the image of the “little man” created by Pushkin, Chekhov studied the Russian soul. Various philosophical and political ideas that developed at the end of the 19th century could not help but influence the lives of individuals.
Late literature of the 19th century was dominated by revolutionary sentiments. Among the authors whose work was at the turn of the century, one of the most bright personalities became Maxim Gorky.
The general characteristics of the 19th century deserve closer attention. Each major representative of this period created his own art world, whose heroes dreamed of the impossible, fought against social evil or experienced their own small tragedy. And the main task of their authors was to reflect the realities of a century rich in social and political events.
Along with poetry, prose began to develop. Prose writers of the beginning of the century were influenced by the English historical novels of W. Scott, the translations of which were extremely popular. The development of Russian prose of the 19th century began with the prose works of A.S. Pushkin and N.V. Gogol. Pushkin, under the influence of English historical novels, creates the story “The Captain's Daughter”, where the action takes place against the backdrop of grandiose historical events: during the Pugachev rebellion. A.S. Pushkin did a colossal amount of work exploring this historical period. This work was largely political in nature and was aimed at those in power. A.S. Pushkin and N.V. Gogol outlined the main artistic types that would be developed by writers throughout the 19th century. This is the artistic type of “superfluous man”, an example of which is Eugene Onegin in the novel by A.S. Pushkin, and the so-called “little man” type, which is shown by N.V. Gogol in his story “The Overcoat”, as well as A.S. Pushkin in the story “The Station Agent”.
The beginning of the 19th century was a time of cultural and spiritual upsurge in Russia.
A. S. Pushkin became a symbol of his era, when there was a rapid rise in the cultural development of Russia. Pushkin's time is called the “Golden Age” of Russian culture. In the first decades of the century, poetry was the leading genre in Russian literature. In the poems of the Decembrist poets Ryleev, Odoevsky, Kuchelbecker, the pathos of high citizenship sounds, the themes of the homeland and service to society were raised. After the defeat of the Decembrists, pessimism in literature intensified, but there was no decline in creativity. Pushkin is the creator of the Russian literary language. His poetry has become an enduring value in the development of not only Russian but also world culture. He was a singer of freedom and a staunch patriot who condemned serfdom in his homeland. It can be said that before Pushkin, there was no literature in Russia worthy of the attention of Europe in depth and diversity equal to the amazing achievements of European creativity. In the works of the great poet one can hear the highly patriotic pathos of love for the motherland and faith in its power, an echo of the events of the Patriotic War of 1812, a magnificent, truly sovereign image of the motherland. A. S. Pushkin genius poet, novelist and playwright, publicist and historian. All that he created are classic examples of Russian words and poetry. The poet bequeathed to his descendants: “It is not only possible, but also necessary to be proud of the glory of your ancestors... Respect for the past is the trait that distinguishes education from savagery...”
Even during Pushkin’s lifetime, the writer N.V. Gogol began to gain wide popularity. Gogol’s acquaintance with Pushkin took place in 1831, at the same time “Evenings on a Farm near Dekanka” was published in two parts in St. Petersburg. The first printed form of “The Inspector General” appeared in 1836.
In his works, the reconstruction of the truth of life was accompanied by a merciless exposure of the autocratic Russian order.
M. Yu. Lermontov took Pushkin’s sonorous lyre into his hands. The death of Pushkin revealed Lermontov to the Russian public in all the power of his poetic talent. Lermontov's creativity took place during the years of the Nikolaev reaction. His poetry aroused thought in the younger generation; the poet refused to accept the existing despotic order. The poem “The Death of a Poet,” which circulated in manuscripts and other poetic works, aroused such hatred towards the author from the crowd standing at the throne that the poet was not allowed to live ten years to Pushkin’s age.
The development of Russian culture in the first half of the 19th century was ultimately determined by the economic and sociopolitical processes taking place in the life of the country. In addition, in the middle of the 19th century, the growing global importance of Russian culture was increasingly realized.