Abstract
The article analyzes the post-romantic novella by the Soviet writer P. G. Antokolsky about one of the episodes in G. R. Derzhavin’s life and the creation of his ode-satire «Na Schastie». According to the author's hypothesis, Antokolsky forms the «biographical myth» about the poet using: firstly, V. F. Khodasevich’s concept in his book «Derzhavin»; secondly, the poetics of romantic fantastic novella genre; thirdly, his many years of experience in artistic and scientific comprehension of History, its laws, as well as events and personalities of the Russian and European XVIII century. A kind of symbol of this era becomes the Goddess of Happiness of Latin mythology – Fortune. In the fantastic plot of the novella, she «seduces» Derzhavin, appearing in the guise of a charming gypsy, takes him to a journey around the world and to the revolutionary Paris of 1789, to the house of the French playwriter Beaumarchais as well, where Derzhavin confronts Emelian Pugachev. These three iconic personalities of the 18 century are united, in the concept of Antokolsky, by the love of Fortune for them. They are adventurers and plebeians, «small people» who, thanks to Chance and their own character, have achieved the possible heights in their lives. During the analysis the «metatext of Fortune» is reconstructed– the most Derzhavin’s and his correspondents revealing statements in correspondence of the «Moscow period» (November 1788 – June 1789) about happiness and misfortune; changes in human lives; the participation of Higher and earthly power; about the card game and money.
Key words
P. G. Antokolsky, G. R. Derzhavin, ode «Na Schastie», Fortune, biographical myth, V. F. Khodasevich, novella, fantastic fiction