Филологический класс (Mar 2015)
The Sorrows of Poor Erast or About What Karamzin Remained Silent
Abstract
The article analyzes the features of Karamzin‘s indirect methods of psychological insight (such as a description of gestures and facial expressions), as well as the artistic functions of technique of concealment, which was first introduced in Russian literature by the writer in the story «Poor Liza», and significantly expanded the capabilities of the literary psychological analysis. The authors conclude that, due to the wide use of technique of concealment, Karamzin reaches, very large for its time, depth of the disclosure of Erast‘s internal experiences. A necessary condition for the successful solution of this problem is the intensification of the reader‘s imagination. Relying on his own psychological experience, he starts to see the depth of the hero‘s psychic drama and wittingly or unwittingly begins to sympathize with him. Thus, the writer manages in the creation of complex and ambiguous nature for the first time in Russian literature.
