About Ukrainian literature

Vernacular Literature. The "father" of the vernacular lite­rature was I.Kotliarevsky (1798-1842). His famous epic poem "Aeneid" was a tremendous success. Kotliarevsky's highly sensitive ear for the idiomatic language, sharp eye for ethnographic detail and talent as a writer produced the unexpected. He wrote two more plays in the newly discovered language, "Natalka Poltavka" and "Moskal Charivnyk" (The Soldier Sorcerer), both in 1819.

The most important followers of Kotliarevsky were P.Hulak-Artemovsky (odes and fables) and H.Kvitka-Osnovianenko ("The Betrothal in Honcharivka," 1836).

Classicism gave way to romanticism; the romantics were interested in folk legends, songs, myths and the historic past. Several collections of songs and dumas appeared. Most authors of the period also wrote in Russian. M.Hohol is a prime example.

In 1840 Kyiv became the center of romanticism. It was the seat of the Cyril and Methodius Brotherhood, which consisted, among others, of T.Shevchenko, P.Kulish and M.Kostomarov. With Shevchenko Ukrainian romanticism reached its top. (Kobzar, 1840; Haidamaky, 1841). He had the ability to express profound thought in simple words. He was popular in his day and his popularity continued to grow and with it the influence of his poetry. Shevchenko is considered to be the father of the national revival which culminated in an independent state in 1918. The majority of writers of that time began to follow the new trend of realism and its philosophy of positivism. They tried to portray reality in an objective, naturalistic manner. M.Vovchok (short stories), L.Hlibov (fables), I.Nechui-Levytsky and P.Myrny (novelettes) were first Ukrainian writers-realists.

They were followed by I.Franko, the dominant Ukrainian literary figure in the last quarter of the 19th century. Franko was a universalist. He was equally at ease with the realistic novelette, the lyrical poem, the epic poem, the drama, the essay, the pamphlet, and translation. He was a first-rate philologist and literary critic, as well as an avid collector and cataloger of folk literature.

The three most noted dramatists were M.Starytsky, M.Kropyvnytsky, and I.Karpenko-Kary. M.Kotsubynsky and O.Kobylianska mark the transition to modernism which resulted in the appearance of three remarkable works of literature: H.Khotkevych's novel "A Soul of Stone" (1911), L.Ukrainka's play "A Forest Song" (1911) and M.Kotsiubynsky's novelette "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors" (1913).

V.Stefanyk, M.Cheremshyna, L.Martovych, V.Vynnychenko, B.Lepky are also prominent authors of the vernacular period, which came to an end with the First World War.

The Renaissance of the 1920s. The downfall of the Russian and Austro-Hungarian empires, the revolution, the establishment of an independent Ukraine led to a stupendous renaissance of literary activity. New writers appeared by the dozen. They espoused various literary trends (symbolism, expressionism, impressionism, futurism, neoclassicism, neorealism). The most renowned poets were P.Tychyna, M.Rylsky, P.Fylypovych, M.Bazhan, V.Sosiura, T.Osmachka and others. Among prose writers of note were A.Holovko, I.Senchenko, H.Kosynka, O.Vyshnia, etc.

The contemporary period. The renaissance ended in 1930. All independent organizations were abolished; socialist realism was proclaimed the sole acceptable literary manner. Representative of the period were the novels of N.Rybak, i.Le, P.Panch, M.Stelmakh, the dramas of O.Korniichuk I.Kocherha, the poetry of P.Tychyna, M.Rylsky and A.Malyshko.

After the death of Stalin in 1953, the controls over literature in the Soviet Union began to slacken. The film director O.Dovzhenko initiated the "thaw" in Ukrainian literature with the publication of his novelette "The Enchanted Desna" (1957). The so-called "shestydesiatnyky" (the Sixtiers) succeeded in the next 10 years in revitalizing all genres of Ukrainian literature. Among the most prominent authors were, in poetry L.Kostenko, I.Drach, V.Korotych, M.Vinhranovsky and V.Symonenko; in prose Ye.Hutsal, H.Tiutiunnyk and V.Shevchuk; in drama O.Kolomiyets. Some authors, such as D.Pavlychko, O.Honchar, L.Pervomaisky, R.lvanychuk, Yu.Mushketyk and P.Zahrebelny entered a newly creative phase. A second generation of writers appeared. Among them the most notable were I.Kalynets, V.Stus, V.Holoborodko, V.Drozd. In the 1970s new repressions occurred. Some authors were repressed. Symonenko, Tiutiunnyk and Stus died, Stus in a prison camp of GULAG.

At present, the Writers' Union of Ukraine has membership of 1,500. Literary journals are published carrying the latest works, and there is a special newspaper, "Literary Ukraine."

3. Answer the questions:

1. What is I. Kotliarevsky known for?

2. Who were Kotliarevsky's followers?

3. What literary trend followed classicism?

4. What is the period of romanticism noted for?

5. Who played the most important part in the national revival?

6. What writers represented the trend of realism in the 19th c?

7. Why is I.Franko considered to be the dominant Ukrainian literary figure?

8. Who were the most noted dramatists of the vernacular period?

9. What events led to the renaissance of literary activity in the 1920s?

10. Who were the representatives of the period?

11. What caused the end of the renaissance in 1930?

12. When did the "thaw" in Ukrainian literature begin?

13. Who were the most prominent authors of the 1960s?

14. What is the period of the 1970s noted for?

15. What membership does the Writers' Union of Ukraine have at present?

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