Likhachev, D: Poetics of Early Russian Literature

This translation of Likhachev's Poetika Drevnerusskoy Literatury (The Poetics of Early Russian Literature), provides a description of the basic themes of early (tenth to seventeenth century) Russian literature. Likhachev compares literary narrative with narrative used in the representational arts. Furthermore, Likhachev stresses the genre-based character of medieval Russian literature and shows how choice of style in medieval times depended on a genre with its own specific etiquette and how innovation was discouraged.The text contrasts medieval abstraction and modern realism, as Likhachev shows how realisticness gradually breaks through in specific situations-such as those of princely crimes. Likhachev draws contrasts in three different areas: the basic stock of symbols and comparisons used in early Russian literature with those used in modern literature, artistic time in folklore and early Russian literature, and artistic space in folklore and early Russian literature. Likhachev traces the gradual development into modern artistic time through a comparison of the chronicle, the first Russian play, the seventeenth century writer Avvakum, and three modern authors, Goncharov, Dostoevsky and Saltykov-Shchedrin. Finally, the text gives a justification for studying early literatures. This book will be invaluable for students of Russian, medieval and comparative literature.

This translation of Likhachev¿s Poetika Drevnerusskoy Literatury (The Poetics of Early Russian Literature), is a study of medieval Russian literature, as contrasted with modern literature in its narrative methods, use of symbols, and depictions of time, space and situation. The gradual emergence of realism and the principle of a single author is outlined with examples from medieval and modern literature.

Table of ContentsForeword. IntroductionMilena RozhdestvenkayaAcknowledgementsTranslator's notesIntroduction. The Boundaries of Early Russian LiteratureChapter 1. The Poetics of Literature as a System of the WholeChapter 2. The Poetics of Artistic GeneralizationChapter 3. The Poetics of Literary MethodsChapter 4. The Poetics of Artistic TimeChapter 5. The Poetics of Artistic SpaceIn place of a conclusion. Why Study the Poetics of Early Russian Literature?GlossaryBibliographyIndexAbout the translator