Fjodor Dostojevski
A modern first mover
Fjodor Dostojevski is a possibly the greatest author of all times. He was born in Moscow in 1821 - and died in 1881 in Saint Petersburg. Despite his short life, he managed to write and publish some of the most know literature of all time: e.g. Crime & Punishment, The Idiot.
We’ve read a short story called ‘The Christmas Tree and the Wedding’, written in 1848 by Dostojevski:
The story is focused on a young man, who is present at a christmas party. He is constantly objectively observing the party and reflecting on the different social classes.
The christmas party is arranged by a man of high standing. The guests are also averagely from the higher social classes.
The main character, the observing man, sees an encounter between a little girl - and a much older, and very wealthy man. The girl being the daughter of a somewhat wealthy and influential man, has a big dowry of 300,000 RUB. During the encounter, the girl tries to escape from the situation, but is constantly stopped by the wealthy man.
Later in the evening the main character encounters a situation where the pushy and disgusting man is praising the little girl and her parents.
The story takes a jump - and the next scene takes place five years from the party. The scenario takes place outside a church. The man is walking by and sees a wedding in progress. He looks inside and sees the girl, he last saw 5 years ago, walking up the church floor. Next to the alter he sees the old disgusting man, whom he also saw 5 years ago.
It is a critical commentary addressed to the upper social classes. Especially the point about the early marriage tells us a lot about the story and the Russian society back then.
The modern breakthrough
In Scandinavia between the years 1870-1900, we experienced a breakthrough in literature. The period indicated the change from the romantic period to the current type of literature.
Modern literature is often indicated by a freer view on sexuality and religion and a much more critical view on the society.
Even though you might not know it: the change to the era of modernism from the romantic period, happened earlier in Russia than in Denmark. Dostojevski is a nice example of that. In the short story presented earlier, Dostojevski’s agenda is to criticize the view on marriage in Russia.
We’ve read a short story called ‘The Christmas Tree and the Wedding’, written in 1848 by Dostojevski:
The story is focused on a young man, who is present at a christmas party. He is constantly objectively observing the party and reflecting on the different social classes.
The christmas party is arranged by a man of high standing. The guests are also averagely from the higher social classes.
The main character, the observing man, sees an encounter between a little girl - and a much older, and very wealthy man. The girl being the daughter of a somewhat wealthy and influential man, has a big dowry of 300,000 RUB. During the encounter, the girl tries to escape from the situation, but is constantly stopped by the wealthy man.
Later in the evening the main character encounters a situation where the pushy and disgusting man is praising the little girl and her parents.
The story takes a jump - and the next scene takes place five years from the party. The scenario takes place outside a church. The man is walking by and sees a wedding in progress. He looks inside and sees the girl, he last saw 5 years ago, walking up the church floor. Next to the alter he sees the old disgusting man, whom he also saw 5 years ago.
It is a critical commentary addressed to the upper social classes. Especially the point about the early marriage tells us a lot about the story and the Russian society back then.
The modern breakthrough
In Scandinavia between the years 1870-1900, we experienced a breakthrough in literature. The period indicated the change from the romantic period to the current type of literature.
Modern literature is often indicated by a freer view on sexuality and religion and a much more critical view on the society.
Even though you might not know it: the change to the era of modernism from the romantic period, happened earlier in Russia than in Denmark. Dostojevski is a nice example of that. In the short story presented earlier, Dostojevski’s agenda is to criticize the view on marriage in Russia.