Innokentii Vasil'evich Omulevsky
Innokentii Vasil'evich Omulevsky was a notable Russian writer and poet, recognized for his impactful works during the politically charged atmosphere of the 1860s and 1870s. While he is primarily celebrated today in Siberia for his poetry, his novels gained significant attention and stirred controversy in their time. His debut novel, "Shag za shagom" (1870-1871), resonated with the young, educated populace seeking new ideologies and social frameworks amidst societal turmoil. The narrative, featuring the character Svetlov, reflects Omulevsky's own moral quest and highlights themes of selflessness and the importance of individual morality against a backdrop of personal and societal challenges.
Omulevsky's upbringing in a prosperous family and his experiences in Irkutsk, where he encountered political exiles, shaped his views on ethics, individualism, and the role of literature in societal reform. His critiques of authority led to government censorship, particularly with "Shag za shagom," which was banned but nevertheless gained underground popularity, illustrating a defiance against suppression. His second novel, "Popytka—ne shutka" (1873), similarly faced censorship due to its bold exploration of romance. Through his literary pursuits, Omulevsky aimed to inspire young individuals to embrace ideals of sacrifice and moral integrity, leaving a lasting legacy until his death in 1883.
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Subject Terms
Innokentii Vasil'evich Omulevsky
Writer
- Born: c. 1836
- Birthplace: Perropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia
- Died: December 26, 1883
- Place of death: Russia
Biography
Innokentii Vasil’evich Omulevsky’s novels expressed the political and social frustrations of many Russian people during the 1860’s and 1870’s. Today he is primarily remembered in Siberia for his poetry, but in his time his novels were highly controversial and popular throughout Russia. Omulevsky wrote poetry as a way to support himself and attain personal consolation, leaving his most important ideas for his novels.
His first novel, Shag za shagom (1870-1871), appealed to young, educated readers who were searching for a new ideology and a new social structure in Russia. The novel describes the author’s own search for a way to create a moral society in which people are willing to forego personal gain for the good of others. Omulevsky incorporated details of his life in this book and in his other novels. His childhood home, the port of Perropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on the Kamchatka peninsula, became the setting for the early life and moral development of Svetlov, the main character of Shag za shagom. Svetlov embodies the ideals to which Omulevsky subscribed and represents them through his actions rather than through his words. His behavior in common situations always is admirable and consistent with his values. Svetlov is a character whose attention to appearance and behavior contrasts sharply with the nihilist characters created by Ivan Turgenov and other nineteenth century Russian writers.
The backgrounds of Omulevsky’s parents also are mirrored in Shag za shagom; Svetlov’s parents are prosperous, as were Omulevsky’s. The setting of Irkutsk, where Omulevsky lived as a young man, is also featured in the novel. Omulevsky’s exposure to political exiles in Irkutsk influenced his opinion of dissidents and his regard for high standards of behavior, purity of morals, and the value of the individual in society. As a student of literature throughout his life, Omulevsky found that literature was an important tool in structuring Russian society.
Government censors objected to Shag za shagom, maintaining his unflattering characterizations of people in authority were dangerous to society. The censors banned the book. Omulevsky, however, defied the censors by publishing the novel without the deletions that they demanded, and thousands of copies of his novel were destroyed before they reached the public. The copies that survived became best-sellers, and people copied the novel by hand for their personal use. Omulevsky’s second novel, Popytka—ne shutka (1873), also offended government censors for its unreserved treatment of romance. In spite of censorship, Omulevsky maintained his ideological standards and his writing encouraged young people to develop ideals worthy of personal sacrifice. He died in 1883.