DOSTOEVSKY ON RUSSIAN AUTOCRACY

Abstract

Aim. To investigate Dostoevsky’s views on the Russian autocracy in the general context of the writer’s historiosophical ideas. This determines the formulation of the following tasks: consideration of Dostoevsky’s artistic, publicistic works, his letters, in which the concept of autocracy is interpreted in unity with the concepts of Orthodoxy and nationality - in the light of the writer’s general idea of the historical destiny of Russia. Methodology. The methodological basis of the study presupposes reliance on traditional literary approaches, in particular, on cultural-historical, hermeneutic, and philological methodology associated with a systematic analysis of poetics and style. Results. The analysis showed that Dostoevsky’s views on autocracy were based on traditional Russian Orthodox historiosophy. Thanks to such an attitude, the writer, with his influential word, powerfully influenced the development of national self-consciousness and Russian statehood, reconciled the people and the authorities, promoted their mutual understanding in crisis periods of social development, warned the authorities against mistakes in governing the country, taught the people to understand the innermost spiritual meaning of current government decisions. Research implications. The observations and conclusions can be used for further historical and literary study of the peculiarities of Dostoevsky’s creative outlook, as well as in the preparation of chapters about Dostoevsky in university textbooks and courses on the history of Russian literature of the 19th century.