Nikolai Gumilev Criticism
Nikolai Gumilev, a key figure in early 20th-century Russian literature, was a poet, critic, and dramatist who significantly influenced the Acmeist movement. Acmeism, characterized by clarity, precision, and vivid imagery, was set against the obfuscations of Symbolism. Gumilev’s poetry often explored themes of adventure and ethnological curiosity, with a distinct appreciation for the exotic and heroic, reflecting his own life experiences as a world traveler and war veteran. As noted by Marc Slonim, his work emphasized themes of strength and heroism that resonated with later Soviet literature.
Gumilev's work was distinctive for its detailed depictions of foreign lands, and his literary contributions were suppressed in the Soviet Union after his execution in 1921, only to gain recognition decades later. His early education at Tsarskoe Selo Lyceum brought him under the mentorship of Innokenty Annensky and introduced him to Anna Akhmatova, who became a prominent poet and his first wife. His early works, influenced by Symbolism, evolved into the Acmeist style, as seen in Chuzhoe nebo, which marked his departure from Symbolism and embraced Acmeist ideals.
Gumilev’s dramatic works, including The Poisoned Tunic, showcase his wide-ranging thematic interests and his dedication to traditional structures, as discussed by Sam Driver. Despite his execution for alleged counter-revolutionary activities, a theme explored by Vyacheslav Zavalishin, Gumilev’s critical essays on poetry structure and translation have had a lasting impact on Russian literary circles, as noted in his outline of criteria for poetry translation in On Translations of Poetry.
His poetry and essays were instrumental in shaping literary dialogue, despite being officially obscured for many years. Gumilev's contributions to Russian literature remain significant, with his work celebrated for its formal elegance and adventurous spirit, as highlighted by Renato Poggioli, who compared his robust style to that of Kipling and D'Annunzio, restoring vigor to Russian poetry.
Contents
- Principal Works
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Essays
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On Translations of Poetry
(summary)
In the following essay, Gumilev demonstrates the Acmeist emphasis on formalism and precision in literary structure in his outline of nine criteria for the proper translation of poetry.
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After the Symbolists
(summary)
Slonim was a Russian-born American critic who wrote extensively on Russian literature. In the following excerpt, he discusses Gumilev's development as a poet and his influence, citing his recurrent themes of strength, combativeness, and heroism as those most often reflected in later Soviet literature.
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The Acmeists: Nikolai Gumilyov (1886-1921)
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Zavalishin discusses the recurring theme of monarchism in Gumilev's poetry, which may have led to his execution in 1921 for counter-revolutionary activity.
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The Neoparnassians
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Poggioli discusses Gumilev's treatment of themes such as war, danger, and adventure with what he terms 'vigorous and virile Romanticism.' He compares Gumilev's emergence in Russian poetry to the earlier appearances of Kipling in England and D'Annunzio in Italy, highlighting Gumilev's role in restoring manliness and health to poetry.
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Nikolaj Gumilev's Early Dramatic Works
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In the following excerpt, Driver focuses on Gumilev's dramatic works, discussing his early influences and the autobiographical themes of his plays.
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In the Middle of the Journey of Life: Gumilev's Pillar of Fire
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In the following essay, Sampson characterizes Pillar of Fire as the volume most representative of Gumilev's poetic skill.
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An introduction to Selected Works of Nikolai S. Gumilev
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In the following excerpt, Monas places Gumilev and his works in the context of early twentieth-century Russian literary culture.
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Some Structural Patterns in the Poetry of Nikolaj Gumilev
(summary)
In the following essay, Thompson identifies a range of symbols and ideas that appear in opposite pairs throughout Gumilev's poetry.
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The Theme of War in the Works of Gumilev
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In the following excerpt, Rusinko characterizes Gumilevs war poems as abstract, heroic and "rhetorical," and compares them to his wartime prose sketches, which she considers more realistic.
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On Translations of Poetry
(summary)
- Further Reading