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Abstract Symbolist criticism of Nikolai Gogol’ from the turn of the 20th century is important for the history of his reception as a novelist. The Symbolist literary community was of… Click to show full abstract
Abstract Symbolist criticism of Nikolai Gogol’ from the turn of the 20th century is important for the history of his reception as a novelist. The Symbolist literary community was of prime importance for the evaluation of the Gogolian heritage and I will argue that their criticism contributed to the myth-making surrounding his work and person. These myths arose from early Symbolist discourse – the “diabolic paradigm” – including prominently Vasilii Rozanov’s interpretation of Gogol’ himself as the sorcerer in his short story ‘Strashnaia mest’’ (‘The Terrible Vengeance’). The genesis and evolution of Symbolist myths are examined, and reconsidered, including the movement’s own critique of these myths. Also, I will elaborate how and why young Symbolists surrounding D. Merezkovskii developed their own motives and ideas with respect to Rozanov’s myth of Gogol’. For them, Gogol’s personality and work function as a mirror and a vehicle for their self-definition. Finally, I will argue that what the young Symbolists reveal in Gogol’s work and personality are prophetic signs of Russia’s apocalyptic and uncertain future.