Ivan Ivanovich Khemnitser
Ivan Ivanovich Khemnitser (1745-1784) was a Russian poet and satirist known for his sharp wit and incisive social commentary. Born in Astrakhan Province, he developed a modest literary reputation, largely shaped by his engagement with both the Sentimentalist and Neo-Classical movements. Khemnitser's works often highlighted societal flaws, notably in his satire "On Bad Judges," which criticized the corruption within Russian governmental practices of his time. He advocated for a nuanced acceptance of life's misfortunes, encouraging readers to confront challenges with dignity rather than despair. His first collection of fables and tales, published anonymously in 1779, suggested a strategic decision to avoid potential reprisals from the authorities due to the pointed nature of his criticisms. Khemnitser's writings employed allegory, allowing him to critique powerful individuals while cloaking his identity. However, some of his more strident works remained unpublished during his lifetime for fear of repercussions, only appearing posthumously in a modified form. His legacy reflects a blend of humor and moral philosophy, offering insights into the societal dynamics of 18th-century Russia.
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Ivan Ivanovich Khemnitser
Fiction Writer
- Born: January 5, 1745
- Birthplace: Astrakhan Province, Russia
- Died: March 20, 1784
- Place of death: Smyrna, Turkey
Biography
Ivan Ivanovich Khemnitser was born in Astrakhan Province, Russia, in 1745 and enjoyed a rather modest literary reputation based almost entirely upon his various satires and witty epigrams. He was familiar with the Sentimentalists and the Neo-Classicists, and his work shows evidence of influence from both movements. On the one hand, he clearly believed that the artist has a responsibility to expose the flaws of society, as shown by such incisive satires as “On Bad Judges,” a rather strident attack on various practices common in Russian government during the period. On the other, he also used his writings to counsel his readers to the necessity of accepting the misfortunes of one’s life with dignity rather than railing against them.
Khemnitser’s first collection of fables and tales was published anonymously in 1779, and there is a strong possibility that he chose to conceal his identity for concern about reprisals against him, since a number of the works contained sharp criticisms of people in positions of power. Although the stories might be allegorical in nature, rather than direct essays about the persons under consideration, it would be clear to any reasonable reader to whom the author was referring in almost every instance, even the animal fables, such as the one about the lion who abuses his position. However, Khemnitser also wrote other fables so strident that he felt that even the veil of allegory would not protect him from the probable consequences of their publication. As a result, they were held throughout his life and only published after his 1784 death, in a somewhat edited form to blunt their more dangerous political elements.