Fall 2004

E 322 • Nineteenth-Century Russian Short Stories

Course Description

In this course we will explore the wealth of Russian nineteenth-century literature through a series of shorter works that present the classic authors in their most concentrated form. The range is enormous: stories of penetrating psychological and philosophical analysis, tales of human pathos and social satire, pastoral visions, great love stories, war reportage, annals of carnal vice and religious exaltation. We begin with the best of Russian romantic fiction, move on to the world of realistic narrative and finally to the highly stylized or delicately suggestive works of the Russian fin-de-siècle.

Grading Policy

Three essays, thought papers rather than research assignments (6 pages each, typewritten). Papers will be read with interest and returned with comments, both about the writing and what the writer wanted to say. All written work shall be the student’s own work, prepared without unauthorized assistance. Two examinations, short answer format.

Essays 60%
Exams 40%
Extra credit for active class participation

Attendance policy: three unexcused absences are permitted. Excused absences shall be for illness or family emergencies only. With the fourth unexcused absence the final semester grade will fall by one-half grade.

Texts

Pushkin, “The Queen of Spades,” Tales of Belkin
Gogol, Dikanka stories, Mirgorod (selected stories,) Petersburg Tales (selected stories)
Turgenev, Sportsman’s Sketches (selected stories,) “First Love,” “The Song of Triumphant Love”
Dostoevsky, “A Gentle Creature,” utopian myths
Tolstoi, The Sevastopol Stories, “The Death of Ivan Ilich,” “After the Ball”
Leskov, “The Sealed Angel,” “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk”
Chekhov, “Ward Six” and other stories

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