Realism in the theoretical interpretation by Ivan Nechui-Levytskyi

Abstract

Researchers argue about realism in Nechui-Levytskyi's prose. Therefore the purpose of the article is to find out how the writer explains realism. Nechui-Levytskyi explains realism not only as a literary style. The writer emphasizes the need for such feature as a nationality. This becomes the reason that some researchers are convinced of the author's commitment to romanticism. Other researchers point out that the work of the writer is not ethnographic. For Nechui-Levytskyi, realistic and folk features in literature are interdependent. His special understanding of realism affects his work. This question requires a separate study. Didacticism, truthfulness and objectivity are presented not only in his prose but also are proclaimed in the article. This fact allows us to treat the Nechui-Levitskyi's creativity as realistic. The writer associates the “reflection of life” with the reproduction of real places and events, the images of typical people, who represent a certain social class. Literature should be didactic, that is a kind of mirror for  readers. This determines the accuracy in  selection of material and characters. A specific requirement for realistic works is the aesthetics and the use of folklore. The subject of representation in literature should be Ukraine and Ukrainians. The requirements of truthfulness and objective image of reality are united with the ethnographic frameworks. Such requirements of the writer as the use of the national language, a description of the national character, and the reproduction of the features of Ukrainian poetry were conditioned by the historical situation in Ukraine. Investigation of the relation of realism-romanticism in the work of Nechui-Levytskyi requires a separate scientific discussion.