Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 57, No. 356, June, 1845

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25207

Title

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 57, No. 356, June, 1845

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A 1845 collection of essays and sketches exploring Russian literature and culture. The volume features a biographical introduction to the national poet Alexander Pushkin, detailing his unique heritage, Lyceum friendships, and tragic death. It also includes critical advice on novel writing, a historical account of Pugachev's rebellion, and tributes to literary figures like Thomas Hood.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in June 1845, this issue of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine presents a rich collection of literary criticism and historical narrative, centered on the life and works of Alexander Pushkin. Thomas B. Shaw provides an extensive sketch of the 'great national poet of Russia,' tracing his lineage which blends German and African ancestry. Shaw details Pushkin's education at the Imperial Lyceum, where he formed lifelong bonds with peers like Baron Delvig, and chronicles his prolific career, including his historical research on Peter the Great and Pugachev's rebellion. The volume concludes with a poignant letter from Jukovskii to Pushkin's father, describing the poet's final hours with dignity following his death in a duel in 1837. Beyond the biography, the issue explores the art of fiction through a dialogue on the novel versus the drama. The text warns against excessive philosophical didacticism and melodramatic tropes, such as the habit of throwing heroes into swoons or delirium. It argues that novels should not force readers to swallow wisdom like medicine hidden in jelly, nor should they torture sympathies with gratuitous anguish, citing the cruel treatment of a character in the novel *Rienzi* as an example of barbarous fiction. Additionally, the volume presents Cennino Cennini's thoughts on painting, an aesthetic discussion on dress, and stanzas honoring Admiral Sir David Milne and Thomas Hood. Serving as both an introduction to Pushkin's translated works and a broader commentary on literary standards, the collection highlights the enduring influence of Pushkin's genius and the evolving standards of British and Russian literature.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Periodicals