Russian Writers and Society, 1825-1904
Ronald Hingley
World University Library
The background of imperial Russian life is supplied in systematic form in this book, beginning with a close look at the lives of writers. It then examines their environment in its broader aspects, the Empire being considered from the point of view of geography, ethnography, economics, and the impact of individual Tsars on writers and society. Next comes a discussion of the main social 'estates' -- peasants, landowning gentry, clergy & townspeople. Finally, the competing forces of cohesion and disruption in imperial society are analyzed in their literary context.