Introduction
At the beginning of the 19th century, Russia was far less developed than its European counterparts. It never experienced an Enlightenment, nor a widespread Industrial Revolution. One of the centralized themes in literature and academia during this time period was a debate over how Russia should move forward in the future, with writers and scholars divided into two distinct schools of thought--the Slavophiles and the Westernizers. The Slavophiles, including authors such as Tolstoy, believed that Russia should embrace its agricultural roots and unique village culture. The Westernizers, on the other hand, believed that technology and more liberal governments were the only way to bring Russia into the modern world.
The most important writer of the time was Alexandr Pushkin, a poet who was responsible for modernizing the Russian language. Until Pushkin, most Russian authors wrote in French rather than in Russian.
Pushkin's decision to write in Russian ushered in Russia's Golden Age of Literature. Other prominent 19th century Russian authors include Anton Chekhov, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Ivan Goncharov, Mikhail Lermontov, Ivan Turgenev, Leo Tolstoy, and Nikolai Gogol.
The most important writer of the time was Alexandr Pushkin, a poet who was responsible for modernizing the Russian language. Until Pushkin, most Russian authors wrote in French rather than in Russian.
Pushkin's decision to write in Russian ushered in Russia's Golden Age of Literature. Other prominent 19th century Russian authors include Anton Chekhov, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Ivan Goncharov, Mikhail Lermontov, Ivan Turgenev, Leo Tolstoy, and Nikolai Gogol.
References
"Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pushkin." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition (November 2011): 1. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed December 6, 2011).
2011. "Slavophiles and Westernizers." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition 1. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed 30 November 2011).
2011. "Slavophiles and Westernizers." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition 1. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed 30 November 2011).