Define Slavophilism, state when it appeared and list the main characteristics and main literary exponents.

The roots of Slavophilism lie in the 1830s with the Russian intellectual class. Throughout recent history, this doctrine has gone through various developments, regressions and restorations all the way until the present time. The idea behind Slavophilism is a national way of thinking and self-definition, as opposed to a less nationalistic form of social identity. It was stated that Russia lagging on the road towards civilization. Hence Slavophilism is really a reaction by the upper Russian class towards the effects of Westernization, whether good or bad. Throughout time, no one could have specifically defined Slavophilism, and therefore many times Russia has seen counterclaims to this idea, stating something along the lines of “what is truly Russian?” Slavophilism was very prominent during those times when the Russian state attempted to forcefully implement alien ideas onto the people. It is because of this, during the times when the national leaders tried to force these abstract western ideas that an opposing front has been formed, and provided the ideas of generosity and the “broad Russian nature” or spirit. Slavophilism was always under the umbrella of the Russian Orthodox Church, having religion, specifically Orthodoxy, as one of the central ideas behind true Russian nationalism. The idea of Slasvophilism had an ambiguity in one of their core principals. Certain parts of the movement saw the state leaders as a negative, others, however, thought leadership of this kind would bring back the traditional Russian values. It is through the works of four famous Slavophiles that we now know the following. Although the peasant class had managed to preserve the traditional Russian culture, and it was, perhaps unannounced, their main task, having not been influenced by the western reforms, even after 1840, it was only through the works of intellectuals and Russian elite that this “flag” had to be carried forward. The traditional Russian nationalism was soon picked up by the new Russian radicalism in the late 1850s and 1860s. This doctrine stated that the rulers of the state had been cruel and anti-nationalistic in the Russian history, and that developing the morals and intellectually advancing the population of the peasant class was the only way forward. These ideas saw peasants as a fighting class, not just a machine for keeping the country a-flow. This was a very primitive form of socialism.

Bibliography: Victor Terras, Editor, Handbook of Russian Luterature. (Yale V.Press, New Have and London, 1985)

Tolstoy was a Slavophile and rejected Westernism. List 10 examples of Westernism in Book One and Book Two of War and Peace. (Provide p. no.)

(#) in the brackets marks an end of an example, as they are not in point-form in the following pages

I shall begin this part of the assignment by stating by far the most obvious example, the use of French language. It is so common throughout the novel, that a single quote seems as if it will not suffice to show the extend of contributions the French language brought to War and Peace. The running joke throughout the novel seems to be that a war fought between two foreign countries intuitively demands that each side speaks their own native tongue. However in War and Peace, both the French, and the Russian generals and officers, and at times even those in the ranks (usually of the lower, less privileged class) are seen to be speaking French. A striking example of the use of French, seen as ironic in Tolstoy’s eyes is on page 474, when Speransky tries to explain to Prince Andrey that “honour cannot be supported by privileges that get in the way of good service”. The reason Tolstoy expresses this as a sort of irony is because (as we will later see within the confines of this assignment) Speransky’s reforms are that resembling the reforms of western societies, such as the proposal of initiation of Dumas into the country’s infrastructure (council), to which Tolstoy held a firm hatred (1). Following this, another great example of Westernism is found within the Russian army itself. On page 275, Bilibin states that every general within the Russian army, except Kutuzov (and a few others, as is stated in the text later on) is of western origin: Herr General Wimpfen, le comte de Langeron, le prince de Liechtenstein etc. It is almost as if the Russian Military Command is stating that western is better than native (2). Tying in with this point, the author tells us on page 11 that one of the main protagonists of the book, Pierre, has been educated abroad, and we are given the feeling that his education is superior to that of his fellow Russians, yet again bringing in this feeling of western superiority over Russia in all things, civil and military (3). We shall now explore the more intimate and subtle examples of Westernism. Balls and ballroom dances are mentioned more than once throughout tome 1 and 2 of War and Peace. A mention of it is seen on page 356: “balls for under-twenties” that Rostovs are seen regularly attending, following that, on page 359-362 Iogel (a dance instructor) is said to be holding the best balls in all of Moscow, which Denisov, Rostov and Dolokhov all attend. Yet again on pages 492 to 503 we are inserted into the atmosphere of a ball held by Tzar Alexander, which the main cast, almost complete, attend, including Natasha Rostova with her family, and Andrey. And finally on page 535, a mention of a ball held by hussars in the name of their favourite Polish belle (notice the use of French for the word beautiful, used by Tolstoy as irony). Ballroom dances were definitely a prominent feature of western cultures, and were brought to Russia through Catherine’s daughter Elizabeth, much like ballet dancing, as seen later in this essay (4). Fashion is another thing Russia inherited from the west, a great example of western fashion is seen within Pierre’s memories on page 341, when he recollects his wife in the first days of their marriage. Pierre gives us a description of her naked shoulders, a vision of her sexuality and sensuality, and that of lust and desire to which Tolstoy was oblivious. This is a defining feature of 19^th century Western Europe (5). Another form of dancing, yet again inherited from the west, is ballet. In modern world, the word ballet and Russia associate quite closely, surely most people have heard of the Bolshoi theater with its magnificent ballet performances, the Mihailovsky ballet, the Kirov ballet, the list is endless. However, ballet was only introduced to Russia through Elizabeth, the daughter of Catherine who, amongst other things, has paved the way for Russian ballroom dancing as we have seen earlier. In the novel ballet is mentioned rather scarcely, the biggest example stated on pages 322-323 when Natasha imitates Louis Duport, the great French ballet-dancer. Interestingly, at this point in the novel, Natasha has not yet been to a ball, or an opera, both of which bring shock and awe her once she has. However she does seem to be quite knowledgeable of ballet as a whole (6). This would be a good time to mention another form of arts, namely Opera. Opera came to Russia from Italy in the late 18^th century, just prior to the events of the book. It is no doubt a great example of Westernism in the eyes of Tolstoy, as it is something relatively new in Russia at the time, and of Italian origin. Opera plays a big role in the end of Tome two, on pages ranging from 614 to 624, where we see Natasha’s character development, a prominent addition to the overall story. It is rather silly that she gets scared of Opera, simply another form of arts, yet she is so knowledgeable of ballet (7) Page 244 shows us perhaps one of the biggest examples of Westernism. When Anatloliy Kuragin asks for Maria’s hand in marriage, her father, the contemptuous prince Nikolai states the following: “I know you will pray for guidance. Well, pray if you’d like. Only you’d be better off thinking.” We shall now recall the most accepted short-form definition of Westernism. It is accenting rational thought and scientific reason as opposed to relying on higher powers and the world beyond our own to make choices and correct decisions. This quote is very personal in the eyes of the audience, but I believe it does reflect the ever-westernising Russia in the eyes of the omnipotent author (8). Several instances in the book show us just how much western literature such as scientific journals, magazines and books have affected Russian nation’s way of thinking as a whole. As an example of this, on page 329, Shinshin (Natasha’s mother) parodies Voltaire, a great French Enlightenment writer, known for his outcry in defense of separation of church and state. This, in the eyes of Slavophiles of the time, such as Tolstoy is an absolute outrage, hence he specifically indicates that Shinshin’s quote was a parody, and a good one at that (9). Finally, saving the best for last, we have the Speransky reforms. Speransky was a Russian activist, a great reformer, and a personal advisor to Alexander the First. The main ideology of his reforms was the creating of Dumas (councils) to pick up the slack that monarchy and incompetent leadership could have caused, if the monarch of the time was incapable of handling the ever changing world, or if they assumed too much power. He was trying to mediate the political power and rights between monarchy and state. This is a defining feature of the western world, for example England, and George the Third, who was abiding by the rules of constitution, written in 1688. With this said, the reforms that Speransky brought at the time would shape the future Russia to be (10).

There are several other instances of Westernism throughout the first two tomes. Here are just a few of them:

- Mention of Illuminism, a western mystical and ominous cult coming to Russia (page 474)

- Masonic influence in Russia, yet again, a prominent western brotherhood, of which Pierre is part of (page 377 - 381). Pierre later travels to lodges in England and Scotland to find out more, he discovers that the Russian lodge is more of a social club for people to acquaint with each other, and to discover profitable contacts.

- The praise of Napoleon by some characters in the novel, such as Pierre’s love for him on page 106 and Andrei’s statement about Napoleon’s great leadership skills and resourcefulness as a general.

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