- Published: September 25, 2022
- Updated: September 25, 2022
- University / College: Essex, University of
- Level: College Admission
- Language: English
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Rapid Social and Economic Changes and Alexander Pushkin’s Work
Alexander Pushkin is frequently dominated by later writers of Russia whose literary contributions have accomplished more broad critical acclaim. Nevertheless he truly deserves to be regarded as the foremost poet of Russia thus having a unique position in the literature and history of Russia. Pushkin being the developer of a novel form of poetry revitalized the culture and language of the educated people within the Russia with the appeal and unsurpassed quality of his work.
During the eighteenth century, feminism within the Russian originated, determined by the Enlightenment of the Western Europe and the eminent functioning of women as an emblem of freedom and democracy during the French Revolution. Alexander Pushkin being the poet of the era could be rightly said as a supporter of the increased liberation, independence and power of the women within the society and used his art as the way of supporting the cause.
During the same century, the spirits of American and French revolutions, in conjunction with the social and economic change, inclined a move away from the primary concerns and assumptions of the Enlightenment in the direction of thoughts of individual rights, democracy, and a conviction in the unbounded possibilities intrinsic in progress and change. During the same era, Romanticism emerged as a term that was used to reflect the cultural shift that lasted till the end of nineteenth century and is vividly exhibited in the literary contributions of Alexander Pushkin. As emotion and feeling exchanged the Enlightenment stress on rationale, alternate writing styles, like narrative of sensibility, and lyrical poetry grew in significance (Cross and Simmons 60).
Pushkin slowly became dedicated to societal reform and came forth as a presenter for literary radicals. During the earlier 19th century, he collided with the government and thus had to face exile to the Southern part of Russia. During the period of his exile, he had to face strict scrutiny of the governmental sensors and was unable to publish or travel at his own will. While facing such strict surveillance, he still managed to compose Boris Godunov which was restricted from publication for several years. Moreover, Eugene Onegin, the novel in verse was also published in series during the period of 1825 to 32.
Pushkin was also portrayed as an antagonist to bourgeois culture and literature and a forerunner of Soviet poetry and literature due to his impact on generations of rebels in Russia and his liberal views of politics. Pushkin continued to be committed to the social reform despite his light-headed lifestyle. He became linked with the associates of the radical movement along with many of his friends. His ideas were quite eminent in his work during 1817 to 1820 such as in his revolutionary poems “ the Village” and “ ode to Liberty” (Briggs 200).
It can thus be concluded that although being pioneer of the Russian literature, his literary work reflected the social and economic changes that shaped the world during the period. His literary contributions depict his views regarding the liberty of women, equality, societal reforms and economic change.
Works Cited
Briggs, A. D. P. Alexander Pushkin: A Critical Study. Bloomsbury Academic, 1991. Print.
Cross, Samuel Hazzard and Simmons, Ernest Joseph. Alexander Pushkin, 1799-1837: His Life and Literary Heritage, with an English Bibliography. Literary Licensing, LLC, 2012. Print.