Forms of the presence of L. Tolstoy’s name in the “Southern Edge” newspaper in 1904–1905

Abstract

The article examines the forms in which L. Tolstoy’s name is present in the major provincial newspaper “Southern Edge” in 1904–1905. These are indicative of the writer’s role in the Russian collective consciousness of that period. L. Tolstoy is perceived as a norm-breaker whose statements and actions invariably attract everyone’s attention. A famous writer, he ceased publishing his works, while news about his literary conceptions was reported by visitors and eyewitnesses. A count and member of an esteemed noble family, he cared about the Russian people, mused on its needs and ploughed his land himself. Having survived the edict about his departure from the church, he called for religious self-improvement and opposed the overthrow of the government. During the Russo-Japanese War, as the press was full of patriotic publications, he spoke out as a pacifist. In 1904–1905 “Southern Edge” captured the process of L. Tolstoy’s transformation into a pop culture character, which came to an end in our age. It was reflected in newspapers, with depictions of L. Tolstoy appearing as a man with no trousers (in N. Bunin’s painting “Fishing”, 1903), in hell (in a church fresco described in “Southern Edge”), as a gymnast, friend of the Bashkirs, consciousness of the nation, a patriot and so forth. These images were compiled in the book “Gr. Leo Tolstoy, the great writer of the Russian land: in portraits, engravings, paintings, sculptures, caricatures, etc.” (1903) and grew ever more numerous and diverse in the 20th century.