The origin of satire in Yakut literature

Abstract

This article is dedicated to examination of the process of conception of satire in Yakut literature. The object of this research is the origin and evolution of satire in Yakut poetry. The subject is the satirical compositions of the founders of Yakut literature A. E. Kulakovsky and P. A. Oyunsky. The goal consists in determination of the role of the first writers in conception and development of satire. Yakut literary studies feature research dedicated to particular authors and works, rather than satire as a whole. Therefore, the relevance of this article lies in the holistic review of satire. The theoretical-methodological framework is comprised of the cultural-historical method, within the framework of which the conception of satire is considered a product of social life and cultural-historical conditions of Yakutia of the early XX century. The work also employs the specific-historical and comparative-typological methods of research. The scientific novelty is defined by the fact that the Yakut literary studies currently do not have a comprehensive and systemic research of satirical genre in national poetry. It is established that the pioneer satire in Yakut literature is the founder of Yakut literature A. E. Kulakovsky, who devoted his works to harsh criticism of the conservative traditions of patriarchal-feudal society, rapacity and inhumanity of the new capitalist relations. Kulakovsky was first to create gallery of the satirical portraits of social nature, such as socially classified images of stingy wealthy man, drunken bourgeois, etc. In the 1920s, the pioneer of Yakut Soviet literature P. A. Oyunsky composed works that of socially charged nature. The poet introduced the following new genres into Yakut literature: fable, pamphlet, and parody. Their works surged public thought and marked the birth of satirical genres in Yakut poetry.