Russian Fiction

Fall 2011

Spragins

“Whither Russia?”

An Essay on Pushkin’s “The Bronze Horseman” and “The Queen of Spades”, Gogol’s “The Overcoat” and Belinsky’s “Letter to Gogol”

Write an essay in which you compare and contrast the contributions of Pushkin, Gogol and Belinsky to the debate about how Russia should modernize its society and government.

Consider how the writers illuminate the nature of the individual, the value and consequences of freedom, and the role of government in leading Russians towards a better society.

Due: Friday, October 7^th at 3:30 pm