A. Griboyedov's "Woe from Wit" In the Context of Western and Russian Individualization

Abstract

This study discusses the transformation of Western and Russian civilizations from the Middle Ages to the 19th century in the context of basic historical and cultural dynamics such as the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment and the types of individualization created by this transformation. In light of the data obtained, the Western and Russian type of individualization was evaluated in A. Griboyedov's work titled "Woe from Wit" (Горе от ума), in the context of the protagonist Chatsky and other characters denominated as Famusov's world totally against him. In the study with an interdisciplinary method to exemplify the reflection of sociological-philosophical thought in literature within the scope of the concept of individuality. Although many factors differentiate Western and Russian civilizations, it is seen that Christianity constituted an important turning point in the context of the individual and individuality and that individualization had been shaped around Christian values in both civilizations in the Middle Ages. While the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment created a world where the cult of the individual was placed at the center of the Western world, Russia could only get involved in this process with the reforms of Peter the Great in the 18th century. However, although a great deal of success has been achieved with the reforms imposed by external dictation, a new social structure has emerged with a distorted concept of the individual. Nevertheless, in the context of the reforms of Peter the Great in the 18th century and the succession of historical-social conditions in the 19th century, Russia entered a similar path of civilization with the West. Griboyedov, whose creativity was shaped within the conditions of his era, described Chatsky as an enlightened individual with reason, acting on the values of changing the world, freedom, and individuality. However, Griboyedov's protagonist Chatsky fails to hold on to the world symbolized by Famusov. From this point of view, the main conclusion of the study is that in Famusov's world, which can be characterized by the absence of individuality, Chatsky's failure refers not only to that of the protagonist but also to the failure of the development of individuality in Russia.