Russianness in Aleksei Remizov's early writings

This thesis examines three different collections from the early works of the Russian writer Aleksei Remizov (1887-1957): Posolon' (1907), Leimonarion (1907), and Besnovatye: Savva Grudtsyn and Solomoniia (1951). Each of them highlights a different approach taken by Remizov in preserving Russianness. In this analysis the concept of Russianness does not constitute a specific national or historical scheme. The reference is rather to a spiritual legacy, a condition of soul. Posolon' calls for the regaining of a lost cyclicity and looks back in time at the common folk's way of life. Leimonarion is one of the most expressive examples of the constant duality of Remizov's position on the dominant artistic and ideological ideas of the time; this collection looks at the old world through the new eyes of a modern era. "Savva Grudtsyn" and "Solomoniia" present a perpetual moral struggle, which pits the profanity of a secular world against the sacred values to which people ought to aspire.The results of the study show that Remizov, using different themes and different literary genres, pursues one broad concern: Russianness. This theme permeates not only his literary language, but also the content of the works discussed here. In Leimonarion Russia is kept together by her people and their belief in salvation; in Posolon' Russia is all about folklore, joyful games, tales and rituals; in Besnovatye Russia is saved by the simplicity and purity of the iurodivye , the 'Holy fools.