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Abstract:

The article is devoted to the study of the image of L.M. Kaganovich in literature. For the first time, an attempt was made to reconstruct the history of the development of this plot in the history of Soviet literature in the 1930s, to trace its genesis, main stages, evolution, and describe the mechanisms of forming an idea of Kaganovich. In the course of the work, the main features of his public image are analyzed, nine of his key features / groups of features are identified: 1) subordination to Stalin, Stalin’s policy; 2) the wisdom of the ruler; 3) firmness, determination; 4) restlessness, indefatigability; 5) renewal, purification; 6) accessibility, proximity to people; 7) grandeur, luminosity; 8) attention to detail; 9) caring for people. The article traces the changes that Kaganovich’s portrait underwent during the 1930s. Against the background of this historical and literary context, the specifics of Kaganovich’s image in A. Platonov’s work are shown (based on his stories, screenplays, and creative materials). In his works, the writer reflected on almost all the features of Kaganovich’s public image. The greatest attention is paid to those of them that correspond to the themes, plots, and images characteristic of Platonic creativity in general: renewal; accessibility, proximity to people; attention to small things; caring for people. The general trend in Kaganovich’s portrayal is to bring the leader’s image closer to the “bottom,” to completely remove hierarchy; the status of emotional and physical contact with the outside world is very high.