Leitmotiv in Russian Novels of the 19th and 20th Centuries
Please join us in discovering a hidden connection in the plots of three great Russian novels of the XX century: Doctor Zhivago, Quiet Flows the Don and Lolita. Mr. Dmitry Bykov will discuss how all authors unwittingly described the same situation in their iconic masterpieces.
Very few readers notice that the general plot structure of three of the greatest Russian novels of the 20th century – Doctor Zhivago, And Quiet Flows the Don, and Lolita – is the same, because the authors have unwittingly described the same situation. Each story features main heroines, symbolizing Russia, who are defiled by their fathers (or step-fathers) and then run away with lovers and bear dead children. Incest becomes a metaphor of power that depraves the country through criminal methods of governing. In Nabokov's case, the topic of defilement and forbidden passion is always connected with the threat of prison (Invitation to a Beheading, Bend Sinister, preface to Lolita, and Lolita itself: in attempting to become free from obsessive desire, the hero falls deeper and deeper into an abyss of dependence and fear. It is the best metaphor for the revolution of 1917 which only deteriorated the conditions of Russian life). Meanwhile, the main hero hopes that the fulfillment of sinful wish would cure him, but it is a great delusion both in moral and social terms. This plotline first appeared in Tolstoy's novel, The Resurrection, which in essence predicted Russian history for more than 100 years.
Не многие читатели когда-либо обращают внимание на поразительную схожесть сюжетных линий трех величайших русских романов XX века: «Доктор Живаго», «Тихий Дон», «Лолита», – сами того не замечая, авторы описывают, в общем-то, очень похожие ситуации. Главные героини этих романов в какой-то мере олицетворяют Россию, - опороченные собственными отцами (или приемными отцами), они убегают со своими возлюбленными, и рожают мертвых детей. Кровосмешение, в данном случае, является своеобразной метафорой той силы, которая всячески разлагает страну своими преступными методами правления. У Набокова, тема блудной и запретной страсти неразрывно связана с угрозой тюрьмы (романы «Приглашение на Казнь» и «Под знаком незаконнорождённых», предисловие к роману «Лолита» и сам роман «Лолита»: спасаясь бегством от неудержимого влечения, главные герои все глубже и глубже падают в бездну зависимости и страха. Подобное описание наилучшим образом отображает тему революции, которая стремительно разлагает уровень русской жизни). Главные герои романов искренне верят, что следование сладостным запретным желаниям в итоге приведет их к исцелению, но вскоре им станет ясно – что это является большим заблуждением. Подобная сюжетная линия впервые проявилась у Толстого, в романе «Воскресение», - романе, который как оказалось, предсказал развитие русской истории на более чем сто лет вперед.
Dmitry Bykov is a well-regarded Russian writer, poet, and journalist. As one of the most prolific modern Russian writers, in recent years, Mr. Bykov has gained additional recognition for his biography of Boris Pasternak (2005). The biography earned Mr. Bykov the 2006 National Bestseller Prize (an annual Russian Literary Prize awarded in St. Petersburg for the best novel written in Russian) and the Big Book Award (an annual largest literary award for the best book of any genre written in Russian). In addition, Mr. Bykov is an outstanding lecturer. His lectures have attracted large audiences in Russia and worldwide. Mr. Bykov has also had a distinguished career as an educator, including as a high school teacher and a professor at MGIMO (Moscow State Institute of International Relations). As a journalist and critic, Dmitry Bykov has been published widely and has appeared on television and radio. Since 1993, Mr. Bykov written for the magazine Ogoniok (published since 1899, the magazine reached the pinnacle of its popularity during the Perestroika years, taking a pro-American and pro-capitalist position). In 2009, Bykov was named assistant editor-in-chief of the weekly business magazine Profile and currently he is the editor-in-chief of the monthly literature-focused magazine What to Read. Until early 2008, Mr. Bykov has periodically hosted a show on the radio station Echo of Moscow (the radio station focuses on social and political issues while representing different points of view). Mr. Bykov is the host of “Russian Literature: Open Lesson with Dmitry Bykov” on RTVi (Independent Russian TV Network), one of the most popular programs on RTVi. Now in its third season, the show attracts a very large audience, especially on the Internet.
This event is presented courtesy of the Russian American Foundation and is part of the 13th Annual Russian Heritage Month®.
It is also organized in cooperation with The New York Public Library, World Languages Collection; Kennan Institute, Wilson Center; and RTVi (Independent Russian TV Network).
Presented in English.
FREE ADMISSION
All programs are subject to change or cancelation without notice
Seating : First Come First Served