The Social Ideal In N.G. Chernyshevsky’s Novel “What Is To Be Done?” (Part 1)

Abstract

Nikolai Chernyshevsky is one of the most prominent radical thinkers of the 19th century. This article attempts to answer two questions. First, can Chernyshevsky be considered a revolutionary? The second is whether the novel “What Is to Be Done?” is propaganda of the revolution? In Soviet times, the dominant point of view was that the novel contains a call for revolution. In the post-Soviet period, the point of view began to dominate that Chernyshevsky was not a revolutionary, but a reformer. And the novel contains a call for peaceful activity. According to the author, both positions are incorrect. They characterize the need of readers of different epochs to see Chernyshevsky as a revolutionary or reformer. Chernyshevsky does not propagandize in the novel “What Is to Be Done?” peaceful development or revolution, the novel is a reflection on possible scenarios for the development of the country.

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