Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Bestuzhev
Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Bestuzhev was a notable Russian writer and political figure born in St. Petersburg into a literary family. He served as an officer in the Russian dragoon guards and became a leader of the Decembrists, a group advocating for reform against the czarist regime. Bestuzhev was involved in literary pursuits, coediting the Decembrist journal, The Polar Star, and expressing his progressive views through poetry that emphasized patriotism and civic duty. His political activities led to his exile in Siberia after a failed uprising in 1825, but he later resumed his literary career in the Caucasus, where he published popular novels under a pseudonym.
His most acclaimed work, the historical novel "Ammalat-bek," vividly portrays the conflict between Russian authorities and Caucasian rebels. Known for his romantic writing style, Bestuzhev's works captivated readers with their adventurous plots and engaging dialogue, although they sometimes suffered from underdeveloped characters. Despite not being a leading figure in Russian literature, Bestuzhev's contributions to the Romantic movement and his blend of literature with civic service highlight his significance. He bravely continued his military duties until his tragic death at thirty-nine during a battle with Caucasian rebels.
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Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Bestuzhev
Author
- Born: October 23, 1797
- Birthplace: St. Petersburg, Russia
- Died: June 7, 1837
- Place of death: In a battle in the Caucasus
Biography
Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Bestuzhev was born into a literary family in St. Petersburg, Russia, where his father was a coeditor of a progressive journal. Bestuzhev was an officer in the Russian dragoon guards. He held progressive political views which led him to became one of the leaders of the Decembrists, a group of reformers who aimed to change the Russian government and remove the czar from power. Bestuzhev began to write poetry and literary criticism and to participate in the literary life by coediting the Decembrist journal, The Polar Star. His poems expound the Decembrist view that poetry should extol patriotism and civic responsibility.
Bestuzhev’s involvement in a Decembrist plot caused him to be interned to Siberia in 1825, but he was pardoned in 1829 and transferred to the Caucasus region as a private soldier. There he resumed writing and publishing popular novels, under a pseudonym. Before this time, Bestuzhev was best known as a poet and literary critic, but he began focusing on fiction when he moved to the Caucasus region. His best work from this period, the historical novelAmmalat-bek, describes the brutal war between the Russian authorities and the Caucasian rebels.
Bestuzhev was uncommonly brave in skirmishes with the rebels. He was in line for a promotion and a high medal, but the promotion was denied because he was accused of killing his mistress. Although the accusation was not proven, the promotion and the medal were withheld. Bestuzhev stopped writing and seemed to have lost all interest in life and faith in justice. However, he continued to bravely perform his military duty. He was killed at the age of thirty-nine by Caucasian rebels during a battle at a port on the Black Sea coast.
Bestuzhev’s novels and tales are written in a romantic fashion. Their settings, plots, dialogue, and adventure captivated readers and made him a popular author. His lively and witty dialogue made the plot move quickly, and the adventurous spirit of his subject matter appealed to and excited the reader. Bestuzhev knew how to take advantage of the exotic milieu of the Caucasus region. However, there are weaknesses in his stories and novels, especially the inadequate, superficial development of characters, most of whom are personifications of Byronic demeanor.
Bestuzhev is a significant figure in the Romantic movement in Russian literature. He combined the role of a writer with that of a politically minded civic servant. He contributed to romantic fiction by making adventure, excitement, and dynamism its basic postulates and by paying attention to the folkloristic elements. Although he is not considered to be a leading Russian literary figure, his contribution is unmistakable.