Course Description
Explores development of Russian history and culture focusing on 19th-century Russian novel. Study of masterpieces by Pushkin, Gogol, Lermontov, Turgenev, Dostoevsky, Leskov, Tolstoy, as well as their cultural, historical, and philosophic context. Exploration of Russian literature as central cultural and social institution.
Athena Title
The Russian Novel
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
In the nineteenth century, Russia witnessed an unprecedented explosion of literary and intellectual activity, a renaissance which yielded some of the greatest masterpieces world literature has seen. Our course will examine the seven most prominent authors of this period, with special emphasis on Russia’s unique handling of the sudden influx of European philosophy and culture (Rationalism, Idealism, Romanticism, Atheism, Socialism). Through its literary canon, we will examine how Russia envisioned the problems of modern individualism in a culture divided between European and Slavic roots. Reading masterpieces by Alexander Pushkin, Nikolai Gogol, Mikhail Lermontov, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Ivan Turgenev, Nikolai Leskov, and Lev Tolstoy, we will study the development of Russian literature as one of Russia’s most important cultural institutions, a place in which most prescient cultural, philosophic, social, and political questions could be investigated and dramatized. We will accompany our readings of major literary works with philosophical and critical texts by 19th- and 20th- century Russian philosophers and critics that aim to contextualize the novels. Students will be evaluated on the basis of written assignments such as compositions and short reflective papers, attendance and participation in class discussions, quizzes, and exams.
Topical Outline
The following is a representative topical outline. The course will follow chronological sequencing that reflects the development of Russian literature over the course of 19th-century. Final texts and other material illustrating the various topics will be chosen at the discretion of the instructor. 1. Alexander Pushkin, Eugene Onegin a) Russian Romanticism b) The Literary Type: Superflous Man c) Development of the Literary Culture in Russia 2. Nikolai Gogol, Dead Souls a) Literature as a Device b) The Literary Type: The Little Man 3. Mikhail Lermontov, The Hero of Our Time a) The Psychological Novel b) The Post-Romantic Hero 4. Ivan Turgenev, Fathers, and Sons a) The Generational War b) The Social Novel 5. Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime, and Punishment a) The Polyphonic Novel b) The Moral Dimension 6. Nikolai Leskov, Enchanted Wanderer a) Skaz b) The Novel as a Moral 7. Lev Tolstoy, Anna Karenina/ “Death of Ivan Ilyich”/ “The Kreutzer Sonata” a) The Philosophical Novel b) Gender Relations