Motifs of I.H. Jung-Shtilling’s “Victorious Tale” in F.M. Dostoevsky’s Works

Abstract

The article continues the subject raised in the article “I.H. JungStilling’s ‘Victorious Tale, or The Triumph of the Christian Faith’ as a Possible Source of ‘Grand Inquisitor’” which spoke of the references to the Apocalypse in The Brothers Karamazov. Numerous Dostoevsky’s works have references to St. John’s Revelation, but in some cases, it is necessary to consult other sources, for a better understanding of the author’s thought – and “Victorious Tale” (the Apocalypse interpretation wide known in Russia since the beginning of the 19th century) is such a source. Allusions to this very interpretation of the Apocalypse can be found, for example, in the “Preparatory Materials” for Dostoevsky’s novel The Demons. Both for Jung-Stilling’s “Victorious Tale” and for Dostoevsky, the theme of Church and Christianity in the history and the motif of the holy land that will save the world are important. These themes appear in the “Preparatory Materials” for The Demons in the “Prince’s” words. Besides, it can be said that the references to the history and culture of the 1st third of the 19th century is typical for later Dostoevsky’s works.

Keywords

• dostoevsky
• the demons
• jung-stilling
• “victorious tale”
• apocalypse