Encircled by Autobiographical Data: A Sentimental Novel, Childhood Years of Grandson Bagrov by S. T. Aksakov

Abstract

Childhood Years of Grandson Bagrov by S. T. Aksakov is an autobiographical novel depicting author’s childhood. Aksakov does not limit himself to the episodes from the character’s life presented in a chronological order, but draws reader’s attention to the influences crucial for author’s “self.” As the subject, the author attempts to present rich and convincing autocreation. Passion for nature, special care for the family’s lastingness, attachment to sister and other family members are characteristic to little Serge. In his approach, the author aims at not only presenting the biography, but also at manifesting his attitude. The mental picture of the author emerges from his active work on the text. The narrative becomes the subject of author’s design. The narrator’s “self” represents the “self” of real author. The author identifies himself with the character and his point of view, and reports on his feelings and state of mind. He also manipulates the narrative structure of the novel. By establishing a dialogue between the narrator and the reader, the author facilitates greater perception of the text. By eliminating the border between the narrator and the character, he enables the narrator’s “self” to shift within the time and space of the novel. Author’s statement regarding sentimentality and romanticism, were forthright and sincere in the depiction of the character. All of it entailed that Childhood Years of Grandson Bagrov became the authentic and reliable vision of writer’s experiences. Keywords: Aksakov, autobiography, autofiction, hybrid narrative, sentimentality, romanticism. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15823/zz.2018.4