Literature and Drama

Literature is a part of every culture and an intricate part of society. Russian society has for centuries produced some of the best literary works, poetry, and drama production. Each of these things has in its designation shown the society in the time frame so that others may see what has been, and what might be. Each of these can be understood in a general way better through review of their definitions.

"Literature is the written work which deals with themes or permanent and universal interest, characterized by creativeness and grace of expression. Literature can also pertain to a particular epoch, country, language, subject or branch of literature." (Webster Comprehensive Dictionary) In Russian Literature the novel is considered the heart of literature. Poetry is an entertaining part of literature and often becomes operas. The novel was a great way to present both sides of a situation for people to form an informed opinion. In so doing it helped prevent conflict. Novels are thought of as fiction, a genre with no truth in it. When the Russian novel first appeared it was more a retelling and presentation of Russian History. Dostoyevsky is considered the father of the modern novel. The modern novel is defined as "the particular type of literature exemplified by fiction of characters and events as if in real life. " (Webster Comprehensive Dictionary def. 1 and 2) An example would be Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky.

Another part of Russian Literature is drama. Russian Classical Drama was founded and developed outside the church. The dramas and novels compliment each other. Each was a way to present problems and situations occurring in society. Drama is "a literary composition that tells a story, usually representing human conflict by means of dialog and action to be performed upon the stage." (Webster comprehensive dictionary, def. 1) Fonvizin was one of the first Russian literary writers to produce dramas. He began writing in 1761. His writings were filled with satire and not very pleasant, but very reflective of viewpoints of society at the time. His best known work is The Minor written and performed in 1782. By the following century Gogol and Griboyedov were writing realistic comedies. One of the world's most renowned historical dramas is Alexander Pushkin Boris Godunov written in 1825. However by the mid to late nineteenth century bitter satires and tragedies began appearing as a way to comment on society. In 1859 a drama appeared that is said to have aided in the cause to free the serfs, it was the Bitter Fate. Bitter Fate is a tragedy and was written by Alexei Pisemsky. Russian Drama has had an influence in how much of acting and drama occurs in the twentieth century. Konstantin Stanislavsky founded the Moscow Art Theater in 1898. The theory taught there has influenced greatly the teachings in Europe and the United States. After the Bolshevik Revolution drama was the first place to be considered as a weapon. By the mid 1930's the plays produced directly reflected the political beliefs of the Soviet State. After the death of Stalin the plays produced started to express more and more of the emotions and thoughts of the current society.

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