N. S. Leskov, Czechs and the Slavic world
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31168/2073-5731.2022.3-4.4.02Keywords:
N. S. Leskov, Slavic world, mentality, East Slavic peoples, southern Slavs, Czechs, Polish emigration, artistic techniques, Slavic reciprocityAbstract
The article provides an outline of views and opinions of N. S. Leskov about the Eastern, Western, and Southern Slavs, especially the Czechs. An overview of the whole oeuvre of Leskov allows to show why he considered the Czechs bearers of the pan-Slavic principles. Especially highlighted are texts devoted exclusively to Czech issues: the section “The Czechs of Paris” in Leskov’s essay letters “The Russian Society in Paris” and the story “The Alexandrite”. Letters and memoirs about his stay in the Czech lands and acquaintance with the Czechs in 1862, 1875 and 1884 are also considered. It is noted that intensive publishing of Leskov’s works and studies dedicated to their interpretation started only in the 1920–1930s. Despite Leskov’s sympathy for the Czechs, his works remained undervalued; this prompts us to return to the writer’s interest in the mentality of the West Slavic people, who have always aroused deep interest in the East Slavic neighbour. Leskov’s balanced assessments of the work of Czech writers, in particular B. Němcová and J. Frič, are characterized.
Received: 20.02.2022.
Citation
Zadorozhnyuk E. G. N. S. Leskov, Czechs and the Slavic world // Slavic Almanac. 2022. No 3–4. P. 356–380 (in Russian). DOI: 10.31168/2073- 5731.2022.3-4.4.02
