The history of Russia is no less exciting, important and interesting than the world. Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin
Why do we study Russian history? Who among us did not ask this question as a child? Not finding an answer, we continued to study history. Some taught it with pleasure, some under pressure, some did not teach it at all. But there are dates and events that everyone should know about. For example: the October Revolution of 1917 or the Patriotic War of 1812...
Knowing the history of the country in which you were born or live is vital. And it is precisely this subject (history), along with the native language and literature, that should be given as many hours as possible in school education.
Sad fact - our children today decide and choose for themselves what books to read, and often their choice falls on well-promoted brands - literature based on the fruits of Western fantasy - fictional hobbits, Harry Potter and others...
The harsh truth — books and textbooks about the history of Russia are not so promoted, and the circulation is not so huge. Their covers are modest and their advertising budgets are usually non-existent. Publishers have taken the path of maximizing benefits from those who still read something. So it turns out from year to year that we read what is inspired by fashion. Reading is fashionable today. This is not a necessity, but a tribute to fashion. The trend of reading with the aim of learning something new is a forgotten phenomenon.
There is an alternative in this matter - I don’t like it school curriculum and history textbooks, read fiction, historical novels. Truly cool, rich and not boring historical novels, in to a greater extent based on facts and reliable sources, not so much today. But they exist.
I will highlight 10, in my opinion, the most interesting historical novels about Russia. It would be interesting to hear your lists of historical books - leave comments. So:
1. Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin
- It’s difficult to call it a novel, but I simply couldn’t not include it in this list. Many people think that it will be very difficult for a “newbie” to read Karamzin, but still...
“History of the Russian State” is a multi-volume work by N. M. Karamzin, describing Russian history from ancient times to the reign of Ivan the Terrible and the Time of Troubles. The work of N. M. Karamzin was not the first description of the history of Russia, but it was this work, thanks to the high literary merits and scientific scrupulousness of the author, that opened the history of Russia to a wide educated public and contributed most to the formation of national self-awareness.
Karamzin wrote his “History” until the end of his life, but did not have time to finish it. The text of the manuscript of volume 12 ends at the chapter “Interregnum 1611-1612,” although the author intended to bring the exposition to the beginning of the reign of the Romanov dynasty.
Karamzin in 1804 retired from society to the Ostafyevo estate, where he devoted himself entirely to writing a work that was supposed to open national history for Russian society...
- His initiative was supported by Emperor Alexander I himself, who, by decree of October 31, 1803, granted him the official title of Russian historiographer.
2. Alexey Nikolaevich Tolstoy
"Peter I"
"Peter I" - unfinished historical novel A. N. Tolstoy, on which he worked from 1929 until his death. The first two books were published in 1934. Shortly before his death, in 1943, the author began work on the third book, but managed to bring the novel only to the events of 1704.
This book contains such a powerful impulse of pride for the country, such strength of character, such a desire to move forward, not giving in to difficulties, not giving up in the face of seemingly insurmountable forces, that you inevitably become imbued with its spirit, join its spirit so that it is impossible to tear yourself away.
- In Soviet times, Peter I was positioned as the standard of the historical novel.
In my opinion, Tolstoy did not lay claim to the laurels of a chronicler-historian. The novel is magnificent; whether it corresponds to historical reality is not a primary issue. Atmospheric, incredibly interesting and addictive. What else do you need for a good book?
3. Valentin Savvich Pikul
"Favorite"
“The Favorite” is a historical novel by Valentin Pikul. It sets out a chronicle of the times of Catherine II. The novel consists of two volumes: the first volume is “His Empress”, the second is “His Tauris”.
The novel reflects major events second national history half XVI II century. In the center of the story is the image of the favorite of Empress Catherine II Alekseevna, commander Grigory Potemkin. Many pages of the novel are also devoted to other major historical figures of that time.
- Work on the first volume of the novel began in August 1976, the first volume was completed in November 1979. The second volume was written in just one month - in January 1982.
Palace intrigues, the decline of morals at the Russian court, great military victories over Turkey and Sweden, diplomatic victories over almost all of Europe... the uprising led by Emelyan Pugachev, the founding of new cities in the south (in particular Sevastopol and Odessa) - an exciting and rich plot of this historical novel. I highly recommend it.
4. Alexandre Dumas
Fencing teacher Gresier gives Alexandre Dumas his notes made during a trip to Russia. They tell how he went to St. Petersburg and began teaching fencing lessons. All his students are future Decembrists. One of them is Count Annenkov, the husband of Gresier’s old friend, Louise. Soon a rebellion breaks out, but is immediately stopped by Nicholas I. All the Decembrists are exiled to Siberia, among them Count Annenkov. Desperate Louise decides to follow her husband and share the hardships of hard labor with him. Gresier agrees to help her.
- In Russia, the publication of the novel was prohibited by Nicholas I due to its description of the Decembrist uprising.
In his memoirs, Dumas recalled what Princess Trubetskoy, a friend of the Empress, told him:
Nicholas entered the room while I was reading a book to the Empress. I quickly hid the book. The Emperor approached and asked the Empress:
-Have you read?
- Yes, sir.
- Do you want me to tell you what you read?
The Empress was silent.
- Have you read Dumas’s novel “The Fencing Teacher”.
- How do you know this, sir?
- Here you go! This is not difficult to guess. This last novel, which I banned.
Tsarist censorship especially closely monitored Dumas's novels and prohibited their publication in Russia, but despite this, the novel was widespread in Russia. The novel was first published in Russia in Russian in 1925.
Imperial Petersburg through the eyes of foreigners... - very worthy historical work, especially from such a master storyteller as Dumas. I really liked the novel, it's easy to read - I recommend it.
5. Semenov Vladimir
This book was written by a man of unique destiny. Captain of the second rank Vladimir Ivanovich Semenov was the only officer of the Russian Imperial Navy who, during the Russo-Japanese War, had the opportunity to serve on both the First and Second Pacific squadrons and participate in both major naval battles - in the Yellow Sea and at Tsushima.
In the tragic Battle of Tsushima, while on the flagship of the Russian squadron, Semyonov received five wounds and, after returning from Japanese captivity, lived only a short time, but managed to supplement his diaries, which he kept during the hostilities, and publish them in three books: “Reckoning”, “Combat” at Tsushima", "The Price of Blood".
During the author’s lifetime, these books were translated into nine languages; they were quoted by the triumphant Tsushima himself, Admiral Togo. And at home, Semenov’s memoirs caused loud scandal– Vladimir Ivanovich was the first to dare to write that the battleship Petropavlovsk, on which Admiral Makarov died, was blown up not by a Japanese mine, but by a Russian one, and, contrary to public opinion, he very highly assessed the activities of Admiral Rozhestvensky.
After early death V.I. Semenov (he died at the age of 43), his books were undeservedly forgotten and are now known only to specialists. This novel is one of the best memoirs about the Russo-Japanese War.
6. Vasily Grigorievich Yan
"Genghis Khan"
“To become strong, you must surround yourself with mystery... boldly follow the path of great daring... not make mistakes... and mercilessly destroy your enemies!” - this is what Batu said and this is what he, the great leader of the Mongolian steppes, did.
His warriors knew no mercy, and the world was choked with blood. But the iron order that the Mongols brought was stronger than the horror. For many centuries he shackled the life of the conquered countries. Until Rus' gathered its strength...
Vasily Yan’s novel “Batu” not only gives a broad idea of the historical events of the distant past, but also captivates with a fascinating narrative about the destinies of different people, among whom are princes, khans, simple nomads, and Russian warriors.
The cycle “Invasion of the Mongols” by Vasily Yan is for me the standard of a historical epic. Well, “Genghis Khan” is a brilliant start to the trilogy.
The personality of Genghis Khan is incredibly attractive for a historical novelist. One of the many Mongol princes, who was a slave in his youth, created a powerful empire - from the Pacific Ocean to the Caspian Sea... But can a man who destroyed hundreds of thousands of lives be considered great? It should be noted right away that the author is of little interest in the formation of Mongolian statehood. And Genghis Khan himself appears in the novel somewhere after the 100th page. And for Ian, he is, of course, a person, and not the Dark Lord from fantasy. Kulan Khatun loves his young wife in his own way. Like most people, he is afraid of senile infirmity and death. If he can be called a great man, then he is, of course, a genius of evil and a destroyer.
But by and large, Vasily Yan wrote a novel not about a great tyrant, but about time, about people who happened to live in an era of great upheaval. This book contains many colorful characters, grandiose battle scenes, and an amazing atmosphere of the East, reminiscent of the fairy tales of “1001 Nights.” There are plenty of bloody and even naturalistic episodes here, but there is also hope, age-old wisdom allowing you to believe in the best. Empires are built on blood, but sooner or later they fall apart. And even those who consider themselves the ruler of the world cannot escape from death...
7. Ivan Ivanovich Lazhechnikov
"Ice House"
I.I. Lazhechnikov (1792–1869) is one of our best historical novelists. A.S. Pushkin said this about the novel “The Ice House”: “... poetry will always remain poetry, and many pages of your novel will live until the Russian language is forgotten.”
“The Ice House” by I. I. Lazhechnikov is rightfully considered one of the best Russian historical novels. The novel was published in 1835 and was an extraordinary success. V. G. Belinsky called its author “the first Russian novelist.”
Turning to the era of Anna Ioannovna’s reign—more precisely, to the events last year her reign - Lazhechnikov was the first of the novelists to tell his contemporaries about this time. In a fascinating narrative in the spirit of Walter Scott...
8. Yuri German
"Young Russia"
“Young Russia” is a novel by Yu. German, telling about the beginning of changes in the era of Peter the Great. The time described in the book is dedicated to the struggle of the young power for access to the Baltic Sea. The novel was published in its first edition in 1952.
The novel takes place in Arkhangelsk, Belozerye, Pereslavl-Zalessky, and Moscow. The author describes historical events through the lives of the main characters - Ivan Ryabov and Sylvester Ievlev, reveals the relationship between the state and the church, shows the character of the era through detailed descriptions of the life and way of life of the Russian North and the capital.
A very historical and very relevant novel for all Russian patriots.
9. Sergei Petrovich Borodin
"Dmitry Donskoy"
One of best novels Sergei Borodin.
“Dmitry Donskoy” is the first work in a series of historical novels on the history of medieval Moscow about the struggle of the Russian principalities under the leadership of Moscow Prince Dmitry Ivanovich against the yoke of the Tatar Golden Horde, the end of which was marked by the decisive battle on the Kulikovo Field in 1380.
One of those historical books that I read as a child, anticipating game battles on relevant topics. It is clear that now it is unlikely that it will be possible to find out how it really was there; history is not an exact science, but, nevertheless, aesthetic and artistic value cannot be taken away from the book in question. One of the distinguishing features of this work, stylized as Old Russian, the language of the narrative and, in particular, the language of the characters’ dialogues. This simple technique helps the author create the effect of a more complete and deeper immersion of the reader into the historical context of what is happening.
10. Konstantin Mikhailovich Simonov
"The Living and the Dead"
K.M. Simonov’s novel “The Living and the Dead” is one of the most famous works about the Great Patriotic War.
The work is written in the genre of an epic novel, storyline covers the time interval from June 1941 to July 1944. One of the main characters is General Fedor Fedorovich Serpilin (according to the novel, he lived in Moscow at 16 Pirogovskaya Street, apt. 4).
I enjoyed reading this masterpiece. The book is easy to read and makes a lasting impression. This is undeniable brilliant work, which teaches you to be honest, believe in yourself, and love your homeland...
My list of historical fiction is not that long. However, I chose some of the most striking and memorable works that I personally liked. History will always be the most interesting genre of fiction, and historical novels will always be the most interesting bookshelf in my library. I look forward to your lists in the comments. Love the history of your country, read the books you need.
In the destinies of great commanders and conquerors there will always be contradictions and secrets that can fuel the doubts of descendants for centuries, excite the imagination of historians and demand more and more compromises.
Timur, Tamerlane, the Great Khromets (1336-1405) –
the clearest and perhaps the most characteristic confirmation of this. His rise to power, military campaigns and rule are the essence of contradictions. On the one hand, constant attention to the sciences and scientists, patronage of the arts, the desire for beauty, and on the other hand, cruelty, so furious that it sweeps away any thought about the ability to show mercy.
What there is no doubt about is Tamerlane’s genius as a commander and military organizer. There is no need for compromise on this issue - historians are unanimous. Only a genius knows how to rally unconditionally devoted people around himself, to create a core that, like a magnet, attracts and holds people in its orbit, no matter what their roots and faith. This is how Genghis Khan, Tamerlane’s idol and role model, created his empire.
Timur's army had no equal on the battlefields, although his opponents were by no means “whipping boys.” Both Khan of the Golden Horde Tokhtamysh, who ravaged Moscow, and Sultan Bayazid I the Lightning, who more than doubled the possessions of the Ottoman Empire in a few years, both fell under the blows of Tamerlane’s hordes. And the empire he created lasted for several centuries.
But still the question has not been resolved. So who is he – Tamerlane? Historians have never reached a compromise. Some consider him a fiend of hell, others justify him, fitting him into the common formula of “the son of his era”... Let historians argue!
And for us, Timur the Lame, like any genius, does not need excuses. He himself believed that he was acting on the orders of the Higher Powers: “The unequaled God, who is the master of fickle fate, put a bridle in my hands so that I could control the movement of the kingdoms of this world.” And, believing in his destiny, he entered into a struggle for power with a detachment of three hundred warriors and rose to the top - he became the Thunderstorm of the East and West, and did not lose a single battle. And with this he forever inscribed his name in History...
"Autobiography of Timur", " Heroic tales about Genghis Khan and Aksak-Temir" and "Tamerlane's Code" are three unique written sources telling about the life of an invincible commander whose conquests redrew the world map and changed the course of history for a significant part of the earth. “To my children, happy conquerors of states, my descendants - the great rulers of the world,” - with these words begins the famous set of laws of Timur - “The Code of Tamerlane”. The great emir had something to tell about himself and the vast world created entirely by his own efforts, because he not only conquered and destroyed, but also built; possessed not only the courage of a warrior and the talent of a commander, but also the wisdom of a ruler. That is why he is called “the last great conqueror in history,” who managed to assemble the greatest state in the world by force of arms, hold it and pass it on to his descendants.
Electronic publication includes the full text of the paper book and a selected portion of illustrative documentary material. And for true connoisseurs of gift editions, we offer classic book. Like all publications in the “Great Commanders” series, the book is provided with detailed historical and biographical comments; The text is accompanied by hundreds of illustrations, many of which modern reader meet for the first time. Beautiful printing, original design, the best offset paper - all this makes the books of the “Great Commanders” gift series the best gift for a man for all occasions.
I. Introduction
Target: identify works of Russian literature that highlight the historical events of our Motherland, create and conduct a quest for 8th grade students to improve their knowledge of history and literature.
Tasks:
1. Analyze works of literature and find echoes of history in them.
2. Test knowledge in the field of literature and history among 8th grade students through participation in an interactive quest.
3. Create didactic material for use in literature and history lessons.
4. To interest peers in the study of history and literature.
5. Create and conduct an interactive quest for 8th grade students.
Subject of research: Russian literature and history.
Object: 8th grade students.
Hypothesis: We assume that through literature it is possible to study important historical events of our country and through the game (quest) peers will demonstrate good knowledge of history and literature.
Relevance. Today in the world, with the increasing flow of information, we rarely pay attention to the history and literature of our Motherland, we read and study historical facts little. Therefore, today it is important to pay attention to this problem and create conditions for motivation to study history and literature.
I. Russian literature and history
Literature is something that, passing through centuries and millennia,
records his great deeds and outrages on the tablets,
and feats of selflessness, and vile incitements
cowardice and frivolity. And everything she once brought in,
does not disappear, but is passed on from descendants to descendants,
causing blessings on the heads of some and mockery on the heads of others.
M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin
Humanities subjects contribute to the formation life positions reader. Literary education helps him see the immensity and complexity of the world around him, and freely navigate its boundless and mysterious space. Turning to the art of words gives not only an understanding of this world, but, above all, an understanding of oneself. While studying literature, the student enters into dialogue with those called “engineers.” human souls. Every nation has its own cultural history. Most of cultural traditions and monuments are made up of literature - the art of words. It is in it that the life and life characteristics of any people are reflected, by which one can understand how these people lived in past centuries.
II. Russian literature and history
1. Historicism in literature
Literature is one of the important sources studying the historical past. It is literature and its artistic images will bring us closer to perception historical material. Literature helps to recreate people of the past, their way of life, and customs. Literary images specific life situations serve as an example and source of moral education.
Literary concept denoting one of the important properties fiction - its ability in living pictures, specific human destinies and characters to convey the appearance of a particular historical era is called historicism.
Historical details that help convey the flavor of the era in literature are very valuable. Convex characteristics, pearls folk art, vivid descriptions from historical novels faithfully reflect the past.
For a long time, literature and history were inseparable from each other, but already in the 18th century, history separated from literature as an independent science, but the connection between literature and history remained.
Fiction can be divided into two groups of works:
Literary monuments of the era under study.
Historical fiction.
Literary monuments include works written by contemporaries of the phenomena and events described. An example of such a monument is N.V. Gogol’s work “The Inspector General,” studied in the 8th grade, which describes the life of a provincial town in the Nicholas era.
The works of this group are documents of the era and serve as one of the sources of knowledge about the past for history.
The disadvantage is that literary monuments This group depicts the life of their time through the prism of the author’s views, so it is necessary to take a critical approach to the work of art, as indeed to any historical document.
Historical fiction - historical novel, story historical topic, works of art about the era under study, created by writers of later times. They themselves are based on the author's study historical sources, memoirs, documents and represent a more or less successful attempt to recreate in artistic form past. An example of historical fiction is the work of N.V. Gogol “Taras Bulba”, which was published in 1835, but describes events that took place in the 14-15 centuries.
History through literature is offered for perception in an accessible and interesting way.
2. Stages of development of Russian literature and reflection of historical events. History through literature is offered for perception in an accessible and interesting way. Echoes historical facts are reflected in various stages of the development of Russian literature.
Pre-literary stage
Until the end of the 10th century Eastern Slavs who have already created own state– Kievan Rus, they did not know writing. This period in the history of literature is called pre-literary. Only after the adoption of Christianity in 988 did the Russians acquire written literature. However, even after years and centuries, the bulk of the population remained illiterate. Therefore, not only in the pre-literary period, but also subsequently, many verbal works were not written down, but were passed on from mouth to mouth from generation to generation. These works began to be called folklore, or oral folk art. The genres of Russian oral folk art include: songs, epics, fairy tales, riddles, legends, proverbs and sayings.
Majority folklore works exists in verse (poetic) form, since the poetic form made it easy to memorize them and pass them on to many generations of people over several centuries.
Literary works. Epics: “The Healing of Ilya Muromets”, “Volga and Mikula”, “Sadko”, “Dobrynya and the Serpent”
Historical songs and legends: “Pugachev in prison”, “The legend of the conquest of Siberia by Ermak”.
Historical Events:
9th century Calling of the Varangian princes Rurik, Sineus and Truvor by the Ilmen Slavs and Krivichi, 862 Askold and Dir take possession of Kiev.
X century. Oleg appoints Kyiv the capital of Rus'. From Kyiv he embarks on a trip to Constantinople.
St. Olga takes revenge on the Drevlyans for the death of her husband Igor, and later converts to Christianity in Kyiv according to the Orthodox rite.
Prince Svyatoslav put an end to the dominance of the Khazars in southern Russia. He conquered the Bulgarian kingdom on the Danube, but was ousted from there by the Greek emperor John Tzimiskes.
Vladimir the Holy conquered part of the Carpathian Slavs, the Greek city of Korsun, where he was baptized according to the Greek rite. Baptism of Rus', 988
Old Russian literature (XI-XVII centuries)
The emergence of Russian literature dates back to the end of the 10th century, when, with the adoption of Christianity in Rus', writing and church-service and historical-narrative works appeared. Main theme Old Russian literature– history of Rus' and its connection with world history.
Old Russian literature is closely connected with history. Therefore, literary changes coincide with historical ones. And as a consequence, the following stages can be distinguished in the development of Old Russian literature:
1. Literature of the 11th - early 12th centuries. This is the period of formation of the literature of Kievan Rus and its relative unity.
2. Literature XII- beginning of the 13th century. It reflects the beginning of the process of feudal fragmentation and is marked by the strengthening of the secular humanistic principle.
3. Literature of the XIII - mid-XIV centuries, the period of the Mongol-Tatar invasion. Characterized by the development of the traditions of pre-Mongol literature.
4. Literature of the XIV - early XV centuries. This period is called “Pre-Renaissance” literature.
5. Literature of the mid-15th - first half of the 16th century. Her characteristic feature- the emergence of elements of the Renaissance.
6. Literature of the second half of the 16th century, the period of centralization.
7. Literature XVII century as literature of the “transitional age”.
The ancient Russian scribe only talked about what, in his opinion, really happened. Only in the 17th century. everyday stories with fictional characters and plots appeared in Rus'. Both the ancient Russian scribe and his readers firmly believed that the events described actually happened. Thus, chronicles were a kind of legal document for the people of Ancient Rus'.
Chronicles of the 11th century have not survived. The first monument of Old Russian literature that has come down to us is “The Tale of Bygone Years.”
Monk Nestor “The Tale of Bygone Years” (“The Legend of Belgorod Jelly”). – Historical event: One of the episodes of the long struggle with the Pechenegs is reflected in the legend of the “Belgorod jelly”, recorded in the chronicle under the year 997.
"The Tale of Igor's Campaign." – Historical event: 1185 - Campaign of Novgorod-Seversky Prince Igor Svyatoslavich against the Polovtsians.
The story of Peter and Fevronia of Murom. – Historical event: Some researchers identify Peter and Fevronia with the Murom prince Davyd Yuryevich and his wife, known from the chronicles. Prince Davyd Yuryevich ruled in Murom from 1205 to 1228
The story of the life and courage of the noble and Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky. – Historical event: July 15, 1240 - Battle of the Neva. Victory of the Novgorod prince Alexander over the Swedes.
April 5, 1242 - Battle of the Ice. The army of Alexander Nevsky defeats the German knights.
1252 - Nevryuev’s army, the beginning of the great reign of Alexander Nevsky in Vladimir.
1263 - Alexander Nevsky dies while returning from the Golden Horde. His brother Yaroslav Yaroslavich receives the label for the Great Reign of Vladimir.
Shemyakin court (8th grade) – Historical event: 1446 - Reign of Dmitry Shemyaka. 1448-1453 - death of Dmitry Shemyaka in Novgorod. The end of feudal wars.
The main theme of the literature of the 12th-15th centuries was national-patriotic. Literature of the 15th-16th centuries reflects the theme of the struggle of the principalities for unification around Moscow. The 17th century is the century of the completion of Old Russian literature.
18th century literature
This era is called the “Russian Enlightenment.” Russian literature XIII century begins with the transformations of Peter I, gradually replacing the position of enlightened classicism with realism. Prominent representatives of this period were such authors as: Antioch Cantemir, Trediakovsky and Sumarokov. They created fertile soil on Russian soil for the development of literary talents. The merits of Lomonosov, Fonvizin, Derzhavin, Radishchev and Karamzin are undeniable.
D. and Fonvizin “Undergrowth”, year of writing 1782 – Historical event: The reign of Catherine II (1762-1796). Catherine II understood the freedom-loving significance of the work, which dared to offend state and social foundations. “After the publication in 1783 of a series satirical works, Fonvizin’s attempts to publish anything in print were suppressed by the empress herself. IN last decade During her reign, Catherine II openly followed the path of cruel reaction, of which Fonvizin also became a victim.
M. V. Lomonosov “Ode on the day of the accession to the throne of Empress Elisaveta Petrovna”, year of writing 1747. – Historical event: Accession to the throne of Empress Elisaveta Petrovna (1741-1761). Results of the first years of government. The ode is dedicated to the glorification of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, but even before her appearance in the ode, the poet manages to express his main and cherished idea: peace, not war, contributes to the prosperity of the country.
N.M. Karamzin " Poor Lisa", year of writing 1792. – Historical event: The author emphasizes that the action takes place in Moscow and its environs, describes, for example, the Simonov and Danilov monasteries, Sparrow Hills, creating the illusion of authenticity. And we, the readers, will find out what Moscow was like at that time, morals and customs.
19th century literature
"Golden Age" - catchphrase, which is used to describe Russian literature of the 19th century. The first third of the 19th century is called the Golden Age of Russian poetry. The 19th century gave birth to a large number of talented Russian prose writers and poets. Their works quickly burst into world culture and took their rightful position in it. The work of many authors around the world was influenced by them. Each major representative of this period created his own art world, whose heroes dreamed of the impossible, fought against social evil or experienced their own small tragedy. AND main task their authors was to reflect the realities of a century rich in social and political events.
A.S. Griboyedov “Woe from Wit”, years of writing 1822-1824.– Historical event:
A.S. Pushkin “Eugene Onegin”, years of writing 1823-1831. – Historical event:
A.S. Pushkin “Dubrovsky”, year of writing 1833 – Historical event: A rich and wayward Russian gentleman, retired general-in-chief landowner Kirila Petrovich Troekurov, whose whims are catered to by neighbors and at whose name provincial officials tremble, maintains relations with a retired lieutenant, a poor but independent nobleman Andrei Gavrilovich Dubrovsky. Let's learn the morals and customs of that era.
A.S. Pushkin “Tales of the late Ivan Petrovich Belkin”, year of writing 1830 – Historical event: The stories widely cover Pushkin’s contemporary reality. They contain pictures public relations and the life of the local nobility (“Blizzard”, “The Young Lady-Peasant”), and army officers (“Shot”), and city artisans (“The Undertaker”), and petty officials (“The Undertaker”). Stationmaster"), and the serf peasantry ("History of the village of Goryukhin").
A.S. Pushkin “Boris Godunov”, year of writing 1825 – Historical event: The reign of Boris Fedorovich Godunov (1552-1605) - boyar, brother-in-law of Tsar Fedor I Ioannovich, in 1587-1598 the de facto ruler of the state, from February 17 (27), 1598 - Russian Tsar .
A.S. Pushkin " Bronze Horseman", year of writing 1833 – Historical event: dedicated to Peter the Great and his main creation - the city on the Neva, St. Petersburg. Peter I Alekseevich, nicknamed the Great, is the last Tsar of All Rus' (since 1682) and the first All-Russian Emperor (since 1721).
A.S. Pushkin “The Captain's Daughter”, year of writing 1836 – Historical event: The Peasant War of 1773-1775 led by Emelyan Pugachev.
M.Yu. Lermontov “Hero of Our Time”, years of writing 1838-1840. – Historical event:
M.Yu. Lermontov “Borodino”, year of writing 1837 – Historical event: The Battle of Borodino is the largest battle of the Patriotic War of 1812 between the Russian army under the command of General M.I. Kutuzov and the French army under the command of Emperor Napoleon I Bonaparte. It took place on August 26 (September 7), 1812 near the village of Borodino, 125 km west of Moscow.
M.Yu. Lermontov “Song about Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich, the young guardsman and the daring merchant Kalashnikov,” written in 1837. – Historical event: The plot of the poem takes place in the Russian Middle Ages, during the reign of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. Reign years 1530-1584.
N.V. Gogol "Taras Bulba". – Historical event: The author paints a picture of a difficult time for his homeland in the struggle against the Polish gentry. The socio-economic situation of the population of Starodubshchina and Little Russia in the first half of the 17th century.
N.V. Gogol “The Inspector General”, year of writing 1836. Historical event: Gogol himself spoke about his work like this: “In “The Inspector General” I decided to collect in one pile everything bad in Russia that I knew then, all the injustices that are being done in those places and in those cases where justice is most required from a person, and at one time laugh at everything.”
N.V. Gogol “The Overcoat”, year of writing 1842. – Historical event: It entered the history of Russian literature as “a manifesto of social equality and inalienable rights of the individual in any state and rank.” The story criticizes the social system based on the triumph of the table of ranks, where the class of an official largely determines the attitude of others towards him than his personal qualities. The author's skepticism towards social hierarchy extends even to family relationships, which some biographers associate with the hypothesis of the author's homosexuality, supported by these biographers.
N.V. Gogol "Dead Souls". – Historical event: The years of the reign of Emperor Nicholas I (1825-1855) were marked by the prevention of any possible anti-state protests. He sincerely strived to do many good deeds for Russia, but did not know how to start this. He was not prepared for the role of an autocrat, so he did not receive a comprehensive education, did not like to read, and very early became addicted to drill, rifle techniques and stepping.
N.A. Nekrasov “Railroad”, year of writing 1866 – Historical event: The real basis of the poem “Railroad” was the construction (1842-1855) of the first Nikolaevskaya in Russia railway(now Oktyabrskaya). On November 1, 1851, regular train service opened on the St. Petersburg - Moscow highway.
L.N. Tolstoy " Caucasian prisoner", year of writing 1872 – Historical event: Caucasian War(1817-1864) - military actions of the Russian Imperial Army associated with the annexation of mountainous regions North Caucasus to Russia.
I.S. Turgenev “Mumu”, year of writing 1852 – Historical event: The story is based on true story, which happened in the house of Varvara Petrovna Turgeneva, the writer’s mother. The prototype of Gerasim was the serf peasant Andrei, nicknamed Mute. Description of the morals and customs of that era.
I.S. Turgenev “Bezhin Meadow”, year of writing 1850 – Historical event: Description of the life of village boys, their customs and stories from life.
I.S. Turgenev “Biryuk”, year of writing 1848 – Historical event: The portrait characteristics and speech of the characters make up a large, detailed picture, which makes it possible to imagine the miserable existence of serfs dependent on the masters.
M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin “The History of a City”, years of writing 1869-1870. – Historical event: Ridiculing human vices from ancient times to the era of Nicholas.
Silver Age(from 1892 to 1921)
This is the time of a new flowering of Russian poetry. Silver Age - figurative name period in the history of Russian poetry dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, given by analogy with the “Golden Age”. To replace XIX century came complex, full dramatic events and turning points of the 20th century. Golden age of social and artistic life was replaced by the so-called silver, which gave rise to the rapid development of Russian literature, poetry and prose in new bright trends. The Silver Age of Russian poetry was short-lived, but it united a galaxy of the brightest, talented poets. Blok and Bryusov, Gumilev and Akhmatova, Tsvetaeva and Mayakovsky, Yesenin and Gorky, Bunin and Kuprin are the most prominent representatives.
S.A Yesenin “Pugachev”, year of writing 1922. – Historical event: The Peasant War of 1773-1775 under the leadership of Emelyan Pugachev (Pugachevschina, Pugachev rebellion, Pugachev uprising) - an uprising of the Yaik Cossacks, which grew into a full-scale war of the Cossacks, peasants and peoples of the Urals and the Volga region with the government of Empress Catherine II.
A.A. Block “Peace on the Kulikovo Field”, year of writing 1908. – Historical event: Battle of Kulikovo (Mamaevo or Don Massacre) - a decisive battle between the united Russian army led by the Moscow Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy and the army of the Golden Horde backer Mamai, which took place on September 8, 1380 year
Russian literature Soviet period (1922–1991)
A.N. Rybakov “Bronze Bird”, “Dirk”, years of writing 1956,1948 – Historical event: Here is an educational excursion into history, and the difficult adventures of the heroes, and a beautifully recreated era. It all starts with Civil War(1917-1923) - a series of armed conflicts between various political, ethnic, social groups and state entities in the territory of the former Russian Empire, which followed the Bolsheviks coming to power as a result of the October Revolution of 1917.
K.M. Simonov “Do you remember, Alyosha, the roads of the Smolensk region”, year of writing 1941. – Historical event: The Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) - the war of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics against Nazi Germany and its European allies (Hungary, Italy, Romania) who invaded Soviet territory , Slovakia, Finland, Croatia).
A.T. Tvardovsky “Vasily Terkin”, year of writing 1942. – Historical events: The narrative of the poem is not connected with the course of the war of 1941-1945, but there is a chronological sequence in it; specific battles and operations of the Great Patriotic War are mentioned and guessed: the initial period of the retreat of 1941-1942, the battle of the Volga, the crossing of the Dnieper, the capture of Berlin.
A.T. Tvardovsky “I was killed near Rzhev”, year of writing 1946. – Historical event: The Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 - the war of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics against Nazi Germany and its European allies who invaded Soviet territory (Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, Croatia).
M.A. Sholokhov “The Fate of Man”, year of writing 1956. Historical events: the plot of the story is based on real events. In the spring of 1946, while hunting, Sholokhov met a man who told him his sad story.
V.G. Rasputin “French Lessons”, year of writing 1973 – Historical event: this is an autobiographical story, in which the author talks about his difficult school years, which occurred during the hungry post-war period. The story takes place in the late 40s.
Contemporary Russian literature (late 20th century – present day)
Works of modern Russian literature are created by their authors in different styles, among which popular literature, postmodernism, blogger literature, and dystopian novel stand out. Popular literature today continues the traditions of entertainment literature of the end of the last century: fantasy, science fiction, thrillers, action films, detective stories, melodramas, adventure novels.
B. Akunin “The Adventures of Erast Fandorin.” – Historical event Erast Fandorin is a retired state councilor who served as an official on special assignments under the Moscow General Government. He is a collective image of aristocrats of the 19th century: charming, intelligent, incorruptible.
III. Practical part
See Creating quests for grade 8 “Echoes of history in Russian literature” (Presentation and Appendices No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5).
IV. Conclusion. History can be studied through literature, but you need to understand that the author describes his point of view on the events described and adds a dose of fiction. By studying history through literature, we enrich our speech and acquire new knowledge of history.
Among the diverse aspects of ideological and artistic issues“History of the Russian State” should also be noted in the peculiar way Karamzin revealed the problem folk character. Karamzin’s very term “people” is ambiguous; it could be filled with various contents.
Thus, in the article of 1802 “On love for the fatherland and national pride” Karamzin substantiated his understanding of the people - the nation. “Glory was the cradle of the Russian people, and victory was the harbinger of their existence,” the historian writes here, emphasizing the originality of the national Russian character, the embodiment of which, according to the writer, is famous people and heroic events of Russian history.
Karamzin does not make social distinctions here: the Russian people appear in the unity of the national spirit, and the righteous “rulers” of the people are bearers of the best features of the national character. Such are Prince Yaroslav, Dmitry Donskoy, such is Peter the Great.
The theme of the people—the nation—occupies an important place in the ideological and artistic structure of the “History of the Russian State.” Many provisions of the article “On Love of the Fatherland and National Pride” (1802) were developed here on convincing historical material.
Decembrist N. M. Muravyov already in ancient times Slavic tribes described by Karamzin, I felt the forerunner of the Russian national character - I saw the people, " great in spirit, enterprising”, containing “some kind of wonderful desire for greatness.”
The description of the era of the Tatar-Mongol invasion, the disasters that the Russian people experienced, and the courage that they showed in their quest for freedom are also imbued with a deep patriotic feeling.
The people's mind, says Karamzin, “in the greatest constraint finds some way to act, just like a river, blocked by a rock, seeks a current although it oozes in small streams underground or through the stones.” To these brave poetically Karamzin finishes the fifth volume of “History”, which tells about the fall of the Tatar-Mongol yoke.
But having turned to the internal, political history of Russia, Karamzin could not ignore another aspect in covering the topic of the people - the social one. A contemporary and witness to the events of the Great french revolution, Karamzin sought to understand the reasons for popular movements directed against the “legitimate rulers” and to understand the nature of the revolts with which slave history was full in the early period.
In the noble historiography of the 18th century. There was a widespread idea of the Russian revolt as a manifestation of the “savagery” of an unenlightened people or as a result of the machinations of “rogues and swindlers.” This opinion was shared, for example, by V.N. Tatishchev.
Karamzin makes a significant step forward in understanding social reasons popular uprisings. He shows that the forerunner of almost every rebellion is a disaster, sometimes more than one, that befalls the people: crop failure, drought, disease, but most importantly, to these natural disasters is added “oppression of the powerful.” “The governors and tiuns,” notes Karamzin, “robbed Russia like the Polovtsians.”
And the consequence of this is the author’s sad conclusion from the chronicler’s testimony: “the people hate the king, the most good-natured and merciful, for the rapacity of judges and officials.” Speaking about the formidable power of popular uprisings in the era of the Time of Troubles, Karamzin, following the chronicle terminology, sometimes calls them heavenly punishment sent by providence.
But this does not prevent him from clearly naming the real, completely earthly reasons for popular indignation - “the frantic tyranny of John’s twenty-four years, the hellish game of Boris’s lust for power, the disasters of ferocious hunger...”. Complex, fulfilling tragic contradictions Karamzin drew the history of Russia. The idea of the moral responsibility of rulers for the fate of the state constantly emerged from the pages of the book.
That is why the traditional educational idea of monarchy as a reliable form of political structure for vast states - an idea shared by Karamzin - received new content in his History. True to his educational convictions, Karamzin wanted the “History of the Russian State” to become a great lesson to the reigning autocrats, to teach them state wisdom.
But this did not happen. Karamzin’s “history” was destined differently: it entered Russian culture in the 19th century, becoming, first of all, a fact of literature and social thought. She revealed to her contemporaries the enormous wealth of the national past, an entire artistic world in the living appearance of past centuries.
The inexhaustible variety of themes, plots, motives, and characters determined the attractive power of “The History of the Russian State” for decades, including for the Decembrists, despite the fact that they could not accept the monarchical concept of Karamzin’s historical work and subjected it to sharp criticism.
The most insightful contemporaries of Karamzin, and above all Pushkin, saw in “The History of the Russian State” another, his most important innovation - an appeal to the national past as the prehistory of modern national existence, rich in instructive lessons for him.
Thus, Karamzin’s long-term and multi-volume work was a significant step for its time towards the formation of civic-minded Russian socio-literary thought and the establishment of historicism as a necessary method of social self-knowledge.
This gave Belinsky every reason to say that “The History of the Russian State” “will forever remain a great monument in the history of Russian literature in general and in the history of literature of Russian history,” and to give “gratitude to the great man for giving us the means to recognize the shortcomings of his time.” , moved forward the era that followed him.”
History of Russian literature: in 4 volumes / Edited by N.I. Prutskov and others - L., 1980-1983.
