Information about the author:

Abstract:

The article is devoted to revealing the originality of the author’s position in the 1910s Russian realistic novel on the example of A.N. Tolstoy’s Two Lives and Lame Gentleman. The interpretation of the concept of “author” is based on the concept proposed by academician V.V. Vinogradov: author is “a concentrated embodiment of the essence of the work”. Thus, elucidation of author’s position implies the study of artistic unity of work, in which author’s attitude to the phenomena described is embodied. Analysis of the problematics, development of the plot and changes in the psychology of the characters in the novels Two Lives and Lame Gentleman made it possible to draw the following conclusions. In his novels Tolstoy always rises above his heroes. The particular problems that excite them are subjected to the general ones that excite the author. It is he who draws social or philosophical conclusions from everyday situations faced by his heroes. The author’s narration is especially active in outlining the novels “everyday background”. Due to this ‘framing’ of the main plot extremely saturated with thematic material there is expansion of the works ideological content.