The problem of the author in “Solitaria” and “Fallen leaves” in Russian-language Rozanov studies

Abstract

This article deals with the review, systematization and scientific criticism of publications on the author’s issue in the “Solitary” and two boxes of “Fallen Leaves” by V.V. Rozanov. It shows that the issue in question is twofold and consists in studying a biographical author in the Russian-language Rozanov studies, the older “culturology” line of association for authorial behavior, in particular: an antinomy in his style, the carnival variety of author’s masks in the text, with the Russian cultural concept of “iurodstvo” (Foolishness for Christ), and the new “historical-philosophical” line, in which V.V. Rozanov’s behaviour is placed within the cultural-philosophical context of the symbolist period in literature and the Russian religious-philosophical renaissance. In the latter case, scientists indicate that the style of the trilogy incarnates the philosophical program of the author and is subordinated to the purpose of finding a religious style for writing and reflection. In those studies, the aesthetic structure of the trilogy is not considered. However, it is extremely important in addressing the issue of the abstract author and hero in the trilogy. All literary critics who deal with the issue of the author and the hero in the trilogy recognize it as a work of fiction and face the fact that the biographical author is identical to the hero, but it contradicts the nature of the aesthetic, which requires the author’s absence and suspension of reference.