Abstract
Along with sciences, alchemical activity heavily influenced literature and art, and the images of alchemists were widely reflected in the works of poets, writers, artists, philosophers, and scientists. In Eastern and Western literature of ancient, medieval, and modern times, alchemy, together with the intriguing images of alchemists, was used also as a source of vivid metaphors. This article is devoted to the subject of alchemy in Russian literature, investigating which writers were interested in it and how it was developed in Russia. Prominent Russian authors’ poetic and prosaic writings have been perused throughout the research paper and it is believed that the images of alchemists portrayed by Alexander Pushkin, Nikolai Gogol, Alexander Herzen, Nikolai Ogarev, Alexei Tolstoy, and Mikhail Bulgakov were of European origin.
Highlights
Using the word alchemy brings several sorts of activities from the ancient times to one’s mind
From the 12th to the 18th centuries, there was no alchemy in Russia, nor was there scientific work of this kind taking place in Latin Europe
The image of the alchemist created by Russian writers (Pushkin, Gogol, Ogarev) had two features: they were Europeans (Russia was not familiar with alchemy), and they were passionate about their search rather than burning with a desire for riches
Summary
Using the word alchemy brings several sorts of activities from the ancient times to one’s mind. Metal transmutation and preparation of useful substances were ancient leading fields of the development period of chemistry All these activities received the name “alchemy” (al – is the definite article in Arabic) in the of the flourishment of Islamic science and culture. There has been talked about other Russian poets and writers who portrayed directly or indirectly an alchemical activity or an alchemist in their works. From the 12th to the 18th centuries, there was no alchemy in Russia, nor was there scientific work of this kind taking place in Latin Europe. The image of the alchemist created by Russian writers (Pushkin, Gogol, Ogarev) had two features: they were Europeans (Russia was not familiar with alchemy), and they were passionate about their search rather than burning with a desire for riches. You dig into old, useless junk” (Chekhov, 1976, pp. 413-423)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
