General characteristics of nineteenth-century Russian literature (briefly)

The nineteenth century gave rise to a large number of Russian talented prose writers and poets. Their works quickly broke into the world culture and occupied a fitting position in it. Their influence was influenced by the work of many authors around the world. General characteristics of nineteenth-century Russian literature became the subject of a separate section in literary criticism. Undoubtedly, the preconditions for such a rapid cultural rise were events in the political and social life.

History

The main trends in art and literature are formed under the influence of historical events. If in the 18th century public life in Russia was relatively measured, the next century included many important vicissitudes that affected not only the further development of society and politics, but also the formation of new trends and trends in literature.

Bright historical milestones of this period were the war with Turkey, the invasion of the 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 characteristic of Russian literature of the 19th century can not do without mentioning the creation of new stylistic norms. The genius of the art of speech was Pushkin. With his creativity, this great century begins.

Literary language

The main merit of the brilliant Russian poet was the creation of new poetic forms, stylistic devices and unique, previously unused subjects. To achieve this Pushkin succeeded due to comprehensive development and excellent education. Once he set himself the goal of achieving all the peaks in education. And reached her to her thirty-seven years. Pushkin's heroes were untypical and new for that time. The image of Tatyana Larina combines the beauty, mind and features of the Russian soul. This literary type in our literature has not had any analogues before.

Answering the question: "What is the general characteristic of Russian literature of the 19th century?", A person who has 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 notion originates from the western medieval epic. But by the nineteenth century it had acquired new shades. Originating in Germany, romanticism also penetrated the work of Russian authors. In prose this direction is characterized by the desire for mystical motifs and folk legends. In poetry, there is a trace of a desire to transform life into a better and glorify the people's heroes. The opposition movement of the Decembrists and their tragic end became fertile ground for poetic creativity.

A general characteristic of nineteenth-century Russian literature is marked by romantic moods in lyrics, which are often met in the poems of Pushkin and other poets of his pleiad.

As for prose, new forms of the story have appeared here, among which an important place is occupied by a fantastic genre. Bright examples of romantic prose are Nikolai Gogol's early works.

Sentimentalism

With the development of this direction, Russian literature of the 19th century begins. The general characteristic of sentimental prose is sensuality and emphasis on the reader's perception. In the Russian literature, sentimentalism penetrated as far back as the end of the 18th century. Karamzin became the founder of the Russian tradition in this genre. In the XIX century, he had a number of followers.

Satirical prose

It was at this time that satirical and journalistic works appeared. This trend can be traced first of all in Gogol's work. Starting his career with a description of a small homeland, this author later moved to the all-Russian social topics. It is difficult to imagine today, no matter what this master of satire was Russian literature of the 19th century. The general characteristic of his prose in this genre is reduced not only to a critical view of stupidity and parasitism of landlords. The writer-satirist "walked" almost in all layers of society.

A masterpiece of satirical prose was the novel "The Lord of Holovlevs", dedicated to the theme of the poor spiritual world of the landlords. Subsequently, the work of Saltykov-Shchedrin, like the books of many other satirical writers, became the starting point for the birth of socialist realism.

A 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 characteristic is briefly 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 moods that prevailed in those years in society. Representing in his works prototypes of people he knew, he sought to consider and solve the most pressing issues of the society in which he revolved.

In the first decades, Mikhail Kutuzov, then the Decembrist Romantics, was glorified in the country. This is clearly demonstrated by Russian literature of the early 19th century. The general characteristic of the end of the century fits into a couple of words. This is a reassessment of values. It was not the fate of the whole people that came to the fore, but its individual representatives. Hence the appearance in prose of the image of the "superfluous person".

Folk poem

In the years when the realistic novel took the leading positions, poetry faded into the background. The general description of the development of Russian literature of the 19th century allows us to trace the long journey from dreamy poetry to a true novel. In this atmosphere creates his brilliant work of Nekrasov. But his work can hardly be attributed to one of the leading genres of the period. The author combined in his poem several genres: peasant, heroic, revolutionary.

The End of the Century

At the end of the 19th century Chekhov became one of the most widely read authors. Despite the fact that at the beginning of the creative path, critics accused the writer of being cold about current social issues, his works received indisputable public recognition. Continuing to develop the image of the "little man" created by Pushkin, Chekhov studied the Russian soul. Various philosophical and political ideas, which were developed in the late XIX century, could not not affect the lives of individuals.

In the late literature of the XIX century, revolutionary sentiments prevailed. Among the authors, whose work was at the turn of the century, Maxim Gorky became one of the most prominent personalities.

A general characteristic of Russian classical literature of the 19th century deserves more attention. Each major representative of this period created his artistic world, whose heroes dreamed of an unrealizable, struggled with social evil or experienced their own small tragedy. And the main task of their authors was to reflect the realities of the century, rich in social and political events.