Shevchenko’s image in the works of Osip Hermaize

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Shevchenko’s image in the works of Osip Hermaize

Journal Title: Eminak - Year 2016, Vol 3, Issue 1

Abstract

In this article the idea of Ukrainian Marxist historian O. Hermaize of Taras Shevchenko’s personality is analyzed. The circumstances of attracting Marxist historian’s interest in poet’s works and personality are highlighted. It is mentioned that O. Hermaize has taken active part in Ukrainian national liberation movement as a member of Ukrainian Social Democratic Workers’ Party. It is pointed out that O. Hermaize has been among the organizers of Taras Shevchenko’s anniversary, which has been banned by the tsarist government. It emphasizes a close relation of O. Hermaize with outstanding Ukrainian historian Mykhailo Hrushevsky – O. Hermaize’s pupil and companion, who has belonged to the Marxist trend of Ukrainian historiography. In this article the technique of the use by historian of Marxist approach is shown to determine essential traits of Taras Shevchenko’s personality. The leading poet’s trait O. Hermaize supposes rebellion. The historian reveals the origin of Shevchenko’s anti-serfdom protest, pointing to its connection to peasant struggle with social oppression. At the same time, the liberal democratic poet’s views scholar estimates as outlandish and unusual for him. It is investigated the use of categories of Marxist historical sociology by the historian for the analysis of social surroundings in which Taras Shevchenko’s personality formation has been taking place. O. Hermaize shows the relation between economic phenomena and social changes on Ukrainian territory in the middle of the ХІХ century. The leading economical tendency of this period the historian considers the penetration of capitalism in agriculture, which has affected the social structure of the Ukrainian society of that time. O. Hermaize reveals the influence of different social classes – educated Polish nobility, Ukrainian landowners, the representatives of the intellectuals on the formation of Taras Shevchenko’s views. It is discovered the limits of orthodox Marxist O. Hermaize’s interpretation of Taras Shevchenko’s ideas of national liberation struggle. The historian point out to the poet’s «duality» because of his peasant origin and his staying in strange for him social surroundings of Ukrainian intelligentsia. Poet’s sympathy for Slavophile ideas is unfavourably estimated. O. Hermaize’ strivings to dissociate Taras Shevchenko’s image from the ideas of political sovereignty of the Ukrainian people are shown here. The historian stresses on the concept of «samostiynytstva» that is artificial and belongs to the West-politicians who try to assert their ideas through the authority of Taras Shevchenko. In this article it is stated that the use by the historian Bolshevik ideological clichés «samostiynytstvo» has been caused by not only the need to separate the figure of Shevchenko from the national liberation movement, but also by the need to declare their Marxist orthodoxy. New Soviet reality in which O. Hermaize lived and worked made scientists stick to the appropriate ideological frameworks.

Authors and Affiliations

Vyacheslav Hordiyenko, Galina Hordiyenko

Keywords

Taras Shevchenko Osip Hermaize outlook Ukrainian historical science Marxism social protest liberal-democratic views

EP ID EP225035
DOI -
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