Title of the article:

RESULTS OF THE CITY REFORM BY CATHERINE II IN THE CONTEXT OF CRITICAL EVALUATION BY CONTEMPORARIES. COMEDY “GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR” AND POEM “DEAD SOULS” BY N. V. GOGOL

Author(s):

Alexey V. Belov

Information about the author/authors

Alexey V. Belov — PhD in History, Associate Professor, Institute of Russian History, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ulyanov St., 19, 117136 Moscow, Russia. E-mail: belovavhist@mail.ru

Section

Theory and history of culture

Year

2017

Volume

Vol. 44

Pages

Pp. 43–49

Received

December 25, 2016

Date of publication

June 15, 2017

Index UDK

94(47).073

Index BBK

63.3(2)47

Abstract

The reform of the Russian city undertaken by Catherine II led to the formation of extensive city infrastructure necessary for performing of its functions and activities. The estimates of the outcomes of transformations carried out within a small time interval may vary. Literary works of the time represent an interesting source testifying the degree of realization and formation of the city infrastructure and conditions of its structural elements. In this respect N. V. Gogol's works relating to critical realism are of special interest. The analysis of the discontent expressed by the contemporary eyewitness facing performance of the city and other authorities from a subjective critical point of view, allows to evaluate results of the city reform more appropriately, fully and soberly taking into consideration both negative, and positive aspects of this process.

Keywords

Critical realism, N. V. Gogol, city, prereform city, city network, city infrastructure.

References

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