L. N. Tolstoy’s “epic poems” as a factor of distorted reflection of epos in the Russian epic poetry, pedagogy and art of the late XIX – early XX century

Abstract

This article makes an attempt to determine semantic and value distinctions of epic poems written by L. N. Tolstoy for pedagogical project “Azbuka” (an alphabet book) from authentic epic songs of the Russian people, as well as trace the influence of Tolstoy’s interpretation upon the reception of epos in the Russian educates society of the late XIX century. Substituting the epic Niola with the titanic “working man” Mikula, Tolstoy corrects the original concept of the epic poem by counterpoising Svyatogor and Mikula Selyanovich, reflecting the social class conflict of aristocracy and the commoners. The poetic tale of Lev Tolsytoy “Volga and Mikula” presents his ideal of the peaceful worker, who does not resist the evil of the provider, and whose work and meekness hold the society together. This ideal advances the previously unfamiliar to Russian epic consciousness values: sacralization of agricultural work, avoidance of military life and governance of the state, as well as exclusive value of peasant origin. Tolstoy’s image of the “working man” was received is chrestomathies of F, Buslaev and A. Galakhov, works of V. Avenarius, M. Vrubel, K. Balmont and N. Roerich.