Chochol and Malorussia: Ukraine in Russian literature at the second half of the 19th - beginning of the 20th. century
Abstract
The article examines the formation of stereotypical image of Ukraine ("Malorossiya") and Ukrainians ("Chochols") in Russian literature during the second half of the 19th century to the first decade of the 20th century. Because of political tensions between nationalities within the Russian Empire state government implemented a series of measures against Ukrainian culture and language.
The literature in this period becomes a tool of political influence. Literary works spread stereotypical image of the Ukrainian people - "Chochols" - as sentimental, lazy, silly simpletons.
Such Chochols can be found in the works of many Russian writers of the examined period - Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Ivan Bunin, or Maxim Gorky. The novel by Mikhail Bulgakov "White Guard" becomes the top of anti-Ukrainian attitudes in Russian literature.
The article also deals with personal attitudes of some writers to the "Ukrainian question".