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** __19th CENTURY RUSSIAN LITERATURE__ **

"Russian literature refers to the literature of Russia"

=__ THE GOLDEN AGE __=

The 19th century was a turning point in the world of Russian literature, where despite the social and political disorder, literature and creativity flourished.

Alexander I, “Alexander the Blessed” became Emperor in 1801, where his many years of diplomacy and liberal views greatly impacted the rise of literature. This turning point allowed Russian writers to experience independent creation, taking inspiration from European literature to develop upon and make their own.

Alexander Pushkin was one of the writers most responsible for promoting this reform, as he introduced European literature and culture to Russia so that the literary world could branch out in a more diverse manner. This influenced the works of fabulist and poet Ivan Andreyevich Krylov (1769 – 1844) as well as the main prose writer Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol (1809 – 1852). In Gogol’s case, his earlier stories were humorous and mainly included Romance themes, with inclusions of supernatural creatures. He then merged the Romantic style with Realism, where his comical plotlines ended morbidly.

In the 1840s, social and political distemper arose under the reign of Nicholas I, but Russian literature continued to flourish with the efforts of Vissarion Grigoryevich Belinsky (1811–1848), who urged writers to approach the country’s problems from a realistic angle and take a stand as spokesmen for social reform.

Russia’s openness to influences of the West was interrupted by Napoleon’s 1912 invasion, but Europe’s literary style of Romanticism and Realism made a significant impact on the development of the arts and by the end of the 19th century, many Russian writers had rejected the traditional views of literature.

Pictures = Critic: Belinsky, Emperor: Nicholas I, Romanticism influence: Lord Byron, European influence: Shakespeare, Fabulist: Ivan Krylov

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__**PROLIFIC WRITERS OF 19th CENTURY RUSSIA:**__

Nikolai or Nikolay Gogol (1809 - 1852)



31 March 1809 – 4 March 1852
 * Ukraine born Russian who wrote many novels, varying from romanticism to satire.
 * Began writing novels, but eventually evolved into a playwright, which is what he is most famously known as today.
 * Earlier works include: //Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka//, and //Taras Bul'ba//.
 * His more famous works include: The Government Inspector (1836), Diary of a Madman (1835), Dead Souls (1842)
 * Gogol's works are often said to be filled with philosophical depth and deep meaning, as he explored themes of fantasy and the supernatural.
 * Considered to be one of the most important and influential writers in world-literature and perhaps the most prolific Russian playwright.
 * Interesting Fact: With the death of his father, fifteen-year-old Gogol turned to helping out at his uncle's home theater, which undoubtedly fueled his love towards theater and literature.

Scenes from Gogol's THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR:

__ **PROLIFIC WRITERS OF 19th CENTURY RUSSIA:** __

Alexander Pushkin (1799 – 1837)
 * Greatly celebrated Russian history and tradition in his literature, despite having been influenced by English writers Shakespeare, Byron and Scott.
 * Pushkin was committed to social reform and was a spokesman for literary radicals, resulting in his exile during the 1820s.
 * Many of his works tie in with the theme of Romanticism.
 * Notable works include: Eugene Onegin (1833) and Boris Godunov (1831)
 * Was a mentor to Nikolai Gogol and literary critic Vissarion Belinsky.
 * Dueled with Georges-Charles d'Anthès over his wife Natalya, where the injuries sustained lead to his death two days later.
 * Interesting Fact: Pushkin published his very first poem at age fifteen.
 * Considered the best Russian poet of all time and the founder of modern Russian literature:
 * Considered the best Russian poet of all time and the founder of modern Russian literature:

Read the translated version of Pushkin’s famous poem //Ruslan and Lyudmila// (1820), here! []

[[image:Alexander_1.png width="139" height="189" align="right" caption="Czar Alexander I"]]
// **Emperor of the Golden Age**: // Alexander I

**// 1812 invasion: //** Napoleon-led France invaded Russia and got all the way to Moscow before the Russian forces pushed them back. The cold climate of Russia was not anticipated by the French and their troops were quickly weakened with dea

ths of thousands of men, preventing France from overtaking Moscow.

**// 1825 Noble revolt: //** Russia emerged from the war as one of the more powerful countries, but in December of 1825, a group of young army officers - later referred to as the Decembrists - attempted a coup. This failed and resulted with Siberian exile, where many of the officer's wives followed them into the frozen wilderness - "Decembrist wives". This expression has come to symbolize the devotion of a Russian wife to her husband, loyalty considered an important value to many Russians and is a common theme among 19th Century Russian literature - although it is used satirically by Gogol.

**// Reign and Influence of Czar Alexander II: //**Czar Alexander attempted ambitious liberal reforms, where with his background as a successful warrior and diplomat, was able to transform the military, tax system and the administration, spurring Russia's Industrial Revolution. Also known as the "Liberator-Czar", Alexander II freed 20 million serfs in 1861 - One of the most important events in 19th Century Russian history.

__19th Century Russian literature novel:__ ** Преступление и наказание ** Crime and Punishment (1866)

by [|Fyodor Dostoevsky] media type="youtube" key="HWTIeQyUMeI" height="247" width="302" video

[] [] [|http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/hum_303/russian.html] [] [] []
 * __Bibliography__**