Abstract
Herzen is always presented primarily as a revolutionary aristocrat and admirer of Western Europe. However, Herzen quickly became disillusioned with the prospects for the development of European civilization, and this was understood and felt by some of his astute contemporaries. Literary critic N. N. Strakhov wrote a voluminous article “Herzen”, in which he proved that Herzen went from a desperate nihilist to an adherent of Russian cultural traditions. The author examines Strakhov’s article, analyzes the course of his reflections, dwells on the philosophical and worldview features in the works of Herzen, which the critic highlights. The article shows that Strakhov defines Herzen as the first literary man who began the struggle against the West. According to the author of the article, this statement is not only a typical case of anti-Westernism by the nationalist Strakhov, but also the starting point of self-reflection in Russian culture in the second half of the 19th century. The article also discusses in detail the impact of Strakhov’s article on criticism and academic science.
Highlights
Herzen is always remembered as an aristocratic revolutionary and Western Europe-worshiper
Strakhov wrote a voluminous article “Herzen”, in which he proved that Herzen went from a desperate nihilist to an adherent of Russian cultural traditions
Strakhov wrote a long article “Herzen”, prove that Herzen went from a nihilist in despair to a believer of Russian cultural traditions
Summary
Upon Herzen’s death, Petersburg Censorship Committee hastily issued a notice in order to prevent the radical publications from taking the opportunity to promote Herzen and causing social ideological confusion. It is fair to say that those critics’ grasp of nihilism and of Herzen’s illusion of the West is extremely accurate, but just like a doctor’s treating a patient, it is not enough to just obtain an accurate diagnosis of the disease but a treatment plan needs to be proposed This involves the issue of critics and religion. It is true that Karatayev is just the most ordinary soldier in the eyes of others while he is extraordinary to Pierre because the latter has Herzenesque despair This kind of despair only appears meaningful in contrast with Karatayev’s spirit of letting things take their own course and feeling at peace with the world. Isn’t this return, in Strakhov’s eyes, the best way out for nihilists after the disillusionment of their Western dream?
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