STUDY OUTLINE ON
RUSSIAN LITERATURE
I
THE EPIC AGE
Their songs and myths are the music of history, embracing the whole national life, and changing it into dreams and fancies. . . . Later when Russia matures true poets, they have but to dip into these sources to fill their own treasure troves. They will never create anything as good. . . . There is far more grandeur to be found in the imagination of that unknown author—the people—in his humble heart far more poetry because of its greater faith, greater simplicity, greater sorrow.—E. M. de Vogüé.
1. Epic poetry and "The word of Igor's armament."
- a The bilini.
- b "The word of Igor's armament," with a selection.
2. Folk-songs and folk-lore.
- a The folk-songs and their preservation.
- b The folk-lore.
- c The fairy tales.
Recommended Reading
The folklore. In Wiener. Anthology of Russian literature, v. I, p. 161-201.
The word of Igor's armament. In Wiener. Anthology of Russian literature, v. I, p. 80-96.
References
Baring. Outline of Russian literature, p. 14-18.
Brandes. Impressions of Russia, p. 187-203.
Hapgood. Survey of Russian literature, p. 6-38.
Kropotkin. Russian literature, p. 7-14; Same, Kropotkin. Ideals and realities in Russian literature, p. 7-14.
