Article

Name: Durylin’s Interpretation of Leskov: A Memoir Writer

Authors: N. A. Nepomniashchikh

Institute of Philology SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation

In the section The Plot in Literature and Folklore

Abstract: The article discusses the influence of N. Leskov’s works on S. Durylin’s writings. It proves that Durylin’s literary critique on Leskov focuses on the idea of search of the god and ideal, the idea pervading Leskov’s literary heritage. Durylin was one of the first to recognize the ex- amples of worldly holiness in Leskov’s narratives. He creates characters of saints living in the world in each of his own writings as well. Durylin interprets Leskov’s image of Russia as the mythologem (author’s interpretation of the sociocultural myth) of Holy Rus’. In light of this mythologem, Durylin’s Russia is the Imperial Russia, which is, like the city of Kitezh, idealized and irretrievably lost. Leskov also affected his poetics: he dedicated his Troitsyn Den’ (The Whit Sunday) to Leskov, wrote his own novels in the unique genres created by Leskov (e.g., a novel-chronicle: Soboriane (The Cathedral Clergy / The Cathedral Folk) – Kolokola (The Bells)). Durylin repeated the storylines of several Leskov’s short novels, used some of Leskov’s narrative strategies. This research shows various similarities of Durylin’s and Leskov’s works. The conclusion is that Leskov’s character and esthetics were reviewed Durylin’s works.

Keywords: Leskov, Durylin, narrative, prose, plot, motif, tradition, saints, the Righteous, Russian literature

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