Proverbs and Sayings in N. V. Gogol’s Book “Selected Passages from Correspondence with Friends”

Aim. To examine the role and significance of folk proverbs and sayings in N. V. Gogol’s “Selected Passages from Correspondence with Friends.”

Methodology. The article demonstrates by way of numerous examples Gogol’s high regard for apt folk expressions and the multifaceted richness of Russian colloquial speech. In “Selected Passages...” Gogol provides his definition of proverbs as an expert, a thoughtful folklorist, and a writer who has repeatedly paid tribute to this folklore genre in his own work. To demonstrate the authenticity of the proverbs and sayings used in Gogol’s book, their versions from well-known collections of Russian proverbs by I. M. Snegirev, V. I. Dahl, M. I. Mikhelson, and several others are presented.

Results . Based on the material reviewed in this article, it can be concluded that Gogol’s “Selected Passages from Correspondence with Friends” is connected to verbal folklore through its broad and functionally diverse use of Russian aphoristic folklore – primarily proverbs and sayings. Perhaps this will help current and future researchers to uncover the unique nature of Gogol’s folkloric thinking and expand our understanding of the writer as an appreciator and connoisseur of Russian folk artistic creativity. It is safe to say that no other Gogol’s work cites as many proverbs and sayings to support the writer’s ideas as “Selected Passages...”

Research implications. Observations and results obtained during the study of the role and significance of folk proverbs and sayings in N. V. Gogol’s articles can be used in the historical, literary, and textual study and commentary of the writer’s literary and journalistic legacy, including his book “Selected Passages from Correspondence with Friends.”

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