Russian Literary Nationalism ―Nicholai Gogol’s Literary Observations

The idea of Russia has emerged through discussions amongst religious and cultural leaders in the late fifteenth century. But with the collapse of monarchic regimes, colonial powers and emergence of European nationalism in the nineteenth century, Russia imagined its own brand of nationalism. In this endeavour they were aided by writers, painters and musicians. Most literary, musical and art texts aspire to universalize and are therefore chosen by cultural leaders and intellectuals to represent the nationalistic aspirations of their groups or communities. Russian literary nationalism in the nineteenth century was no exception. It became a unique combination of Cossack brotherhood and love for the cultural and geographical entity called Russia generating strong emotions of patriotism and sacrifice. The works of Nicholai Gogol (1809-1852), Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910), Vasily Surikov (1848-1916) and Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)created literary, musical and art nationalisms aiding the formation and growth of Russian patriotism and sacrifice. The early appreciation of French thought and culture by the Russian aristocracy, and later disillusionment with it after the invasion of Russia by Napoleon in 1812, led to the creation of a distinct literary nationalism in Russia somewhat separate from Europe. The Slavophile Movement endorsing rural Russian values and institutions further eroded any residual love for Europe in Russia. In his writings Gogol represented the idea of a decadent and pretentious landed aristocracy within a robust and fun-loving society undergoing transformation. The iconic realism and didactic persuasion of Gogol’s short stories and novels brought about a new representation of Russia. He expanded the concept of Cossack brotherhood and regional Russian identity and gave them a national color. Nineteenth century literary nationalism concretized the exuberance of a nation ready to embark on a journey of unification and self-discovery.departmental bulletin pape