The Function of Introductions in Dostoevsky’s Work (About L. Bagby’s Book)

Abstract

The review analysis the main theses contained in the monograph by Lewis Bagby, American slavicist, Professor Emeritus of Russian literature and language at the University of Wyoming, First Words: On Dostoevsky’s Introductions, that researches the functions of prefaces/introductions in Dostoevsky’s literary works. Bagby identifies ten Dostoevsky’s texts (The Village of Stepanchikovo and Its Inhabitants, Notes from the House of the Dead, Winter Notes on Summer Impressions, Notes from the Underground, “Bobok”, The Devils, “The Beggar Boy at Christ’s Christmas Tree”, “The Peasant Marey”, “A Gentle Creature”, and The Brothers Karamazov) and attempts to analyze the introductions using Gérard Genette’s typology. This classification seems ill-suited to the task of describing and studying the introductions in Dostoevsky’s work. The review points out inconsistencies and controversial moments in the book.