"Prometheus' Fall" (A Study of the Image of Russian Literary Intellectuals)

Author: Zhu Jiangang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: Nineteenth-century Russian intellectuals were hailed as Prometheus, the fire-bringer from Greek mythology, but by the end of the century, they were labeled as "decadent" and "degenerate." This book traces the fate of Russian intellectuals and reveals the transformation of their literary image from "Prometheus to rogue" (as stated by Gorky). The book combines historical evidence with literary critiques, narrating the characters from 19th-century Russian novels to uncover a misunderstood history and strive to present a more authentic image of Russian intellectuals.
Introduction: Nineteenth-century Russian intellectuals were hailed as Prometheus, the fire-bringer from Greek mythology, but by the end of the century, they were labeled as "decadent" and "degenerate." This book traces the fate of Russian intellectuals and reveals the transformation of their literary image from "Prometheus to rogue" (as stated by Gorky). The book combines historical evidence with literary critiques, narrating the characters from 19th-century Russian novels to uncover a misunderstood history and strive to present a more authentic image of Russian intellectuals.