The Fates of Tolstoy Scholars (On the Correspondence of N.K. Gudziy with V.A. Zhdanov and E.E. Zауdenschnur). Article One: War Years (1942–1945)

Abstract

Based on previously unknown and for the first time introduced into scientific circulation archival materials, the article presents the history of personal and epistolary communication of three outstanding literary critics and textual critics — N.K. Gudziy, V.A. Zhdanov, and E.E. Zaydenshnur. The published correspondence allows the reader to understand and feel under what conditions and under what sometimes stressful circumstances their titanic scientific work took place, which required maximum concentration, complete dedication, perseverance, unbending will in defending the position, as well as moral and scientific principles. Their many years of activity in the study and preparation for publication of materials of the biography and literary heritage of L.N. Tolstoy are closely connected with the context of events in the political, social, and scientific life of the country, with the context of the ongoing discussions in the press and the scientific community. The dispute about the most significant problems of Tolstoy’s textology, which ultimately led to the rupture of personal relations to the general displeasure and disappointment of correspondents, is also one of the main topics of published materials.

Keywords

• n.k. gudziy
• v.a. zhdanov
• e.e. zaidenshnur
• a.i. beletsky
• n.n. gusev
• v.g. chertkov
• l.n. tolstoy
• anna karenina