Hermaphrodites and Literature

[A.Smith]

Dear Philippa,

You might wish to consider for your research some books and articles related
to Nadezhda Durova (1783-1866). Indeed, she was labelled as a hermaphrodite
by many contemporaries. This myth is still discussed widely in the Russian
media. See, for example, two articles available on the internet:
1. http://www.litrossia.ru/article.php?article=515
(it contains a fascinating interview with Alla Begunova who just published
her book on Durova. She claims that the publisher "Molodaia Gvardiia"
refused to publish her book...Begunova mentions the fact that Durova was
often seen as hermaphrodite by her contemporaries; she claims that
post-Soviet sources continue to recycle this myth).
2. There is an interesting article on Durova published in Novaja Iunost' in
2002: http://magazines.russ.ru/nov_yun/2002/1/kryl.html
It also discusses some ninteenth-century rumours/legends that present Durova
as hermaphrodite.

As you might have already discovered,  similar stories were circulated
regards Zinaida Gippius.

All best,

Alexandra Smith  (PhD, University of London)

Lecturer in Russian
Department of Russian and Slavonic Studies
University of Sheffield

Alexandra.Smith at sheffield.ac.uk

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
  options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
                    http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------