The North in Russian Romantic Literature

Erscheinungsjahr 1996
ISBN: 978-90-5183-994-4
Verlag: Brill | Rodopi

Buch, Englisch, Band 26, 303 Seiten, Format (B × H): 150 mm x 220 mm

Reihe: Studies in Slavic Literature and Poetics

This book explores the North in Russian romantic literature as a symbol of national particularity. It largely ignores the vogue of Ossian, being primarily concerned with the significance of the North for Russia's national self-image. The author demonstrates how, starting with Lomonosov, the North initially functions as a symbol of Russia's 'new' European identity. Gradually it acquires a different ideological charge, giving voice to growing resentment over the inroads of western culture. By the turn of the century, the North no longer denotes Russia's supposed Europeanness, but its 'unique national' spirit, believed to have been polluted by the slavish imitation of the West. By this time, the theme of winter was discovered as an appropriate vehicle for the expression of nationalist sentiments, culminating in the popular myth of the winter of 1812 as an ally of the Russian people. This study also investigates the theme of 'northern homesickness' as opposed to the lure of the South and concludes by examining the national stereotypes of Russia's northern neighbours, the Swedes and the Finns.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Boele, Otto

Inhaltsverzeichnis

CHAPTER 1 SOME THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS. 1.0. Introduction. 1.1. On Cultural Typology. 1.2. On National Stereotypes: Image Studies. 1.3. The Textual Corpus. 1.4. Concluding Remarks. CHAPTER 2 THE BEGINNING. 2.0. Introduction. 2.1. The Old and the East. 2.2. The New and the North. 2.3. The North and the Question of National Identity. 2.4. Conclusions. CHAPTER 3 WINTER I. 3.0. Introduction. 3.4. Conclusions. CHAPTER 4 WINTER II. 4.0. Introduction. 4.2. Winter: Season of Predilection. 4.3. The Dynamics of Winter: The Winter Track — The Road. CHAPTER 5 NORTH AND SOUTH. 5.0. Introduction. 5.1. The Material World. 5.2. Modality. 5.3. North versus South. 5.4. Rhyme Tags. CHAPTER 6 NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN WOMEN. 6.0. Introduction. 6.1. The Eternal Debate: la brune et la blonde. 6.2. The NS-opposition in Narrative Texts. 6.3. More on Southern Women: Vol'skaja - Nina - Cleopatra. CHAPTER 7 THE 'OTHER' NORTH. 7.0. Introduction. 7.1. National Stereotypes. 7.2. Nikolaj Gnedi??c??'s Idyll The Fishermen. Conclusions. Appendix. Index. References.