The East Theme in the Creative world of Ivan Bunin

Abstract

After the mid 19th century, various oriental literatures were published in Russia. Religious books, including the Buddhist scriptures and the Koran, and other Eastern writings were also introduced. Bunin has a deep knowledge of Eastern religions and cultures and has reflected onto his works in his own way. Bunin was interested in the East from an early age, and had a strong influenced by Tolstoy. The artist studied the Orient from various aspects, and experienced and observed the Orient by traveling to Constantinople, Egypt, Israel, Jerusalem, Syria, and Ceylon. By reading the Qur an, Bunin began to become interested in Islam, and even became deeply fascinated with it. He published total of 19 poems under the sub-title “Islam” in his collection of poems, or had written several poems on the East in magazines and books. Bunin wrote his poetry based on Arab and Islamic religions and legends. Through his poems, he delicately translated Arabic and Islamic terms into Russian without heterogeneity. While Bunin was also very interested in Buddhist culture, he read and studied Buddhist scriptures. The East was the primordial paradise for Bunin and the cradle of mankind. He tried to understand the origins of world culture and the essence of human society through the East. Also, the author tried to seriously understand the cause of the decline of ancient civilizations. Based on this, he created works related to Buddhism. In this way, Bunin developed a unique world of art while observing from his own perspective with a lot of interest in the East.