DOSTOEVSKY & PROPHET ELIJAH

[Nicholas Borzov]

On Wed, 14 Aug 2002 15:02:42
 Stephan Harris wrote:
About six months ago I read somewhere on the internet that Raskolnikoff confesses his crimes on the holiday of the prophet Elijah, when a thunderstorm was traditionally expected in Russian folk belief. The author of the web page claimed that the prophet Elijah is a recurring symbol throughout Dostoevsky's works, but I have searched and searched for articles on this topic and have found nothing so far. The major studies of Dostoevsky, including the most recent ones, do not even mention Elijah the Prophet. Is this pure quackery? (Either it IS quackery or experts have overlooked something important in their discussions of Dostoevsky.) Can any SEELANGS scholars help me find some information on this topic?
  Stephan Harris

Dear Stephan:
I have not seen the website, but the prophet Elijah in the fiction of Dostoevskii is the topic of Tainyi kod Dostoevskogo. I purchased the book several years ago at Szwede Slavic Books, so you might contact Szwede to find out if they still have it. Most of the theory is convincing. Raskolnikov's confession is indeed made to coincide with Elijah's holiday, and if you are skeptical, read the chapter about Selo Stepanchikovo i ego obitateli and I think you will be convinced. Several chapters in Tainyi kod Dostoevskogo I found disappointing, but in general it elucidates a large system of allusions that eluded the best specialists for many years. Its treatment of Khoziaika, Vechnyi muzh, Selo Stepanchikovo, Prestuplenie i nakazanie and a chapter on Sukhodol are probably the best parts. If you teach Russian literature, you'll want to read this book. It's a fairly important discovery.
  Alex Popov



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