Andrei Platonov's 'Chevengur' and its cultural background

Platonov's "Chevengur" is regarded as his most important novel. The purpose of this study is to examine this novel with regards to its cultural background. "Chevengur" is a link of the chain in the history of utopian novels in which there have been many streams. When the novel's characters think about Communism, they reflect upon utopian ideals, which have a long history pre-dating Communism.;The dissertation consists of three sections. First it compares "Chevengur" with the tradition of Russian utopian novels. In the early stage of his writing career Platonov was devoted to the concept of a progressive utopia which relied upon the humanity's intellect. At the same time he understood the power and the meaning of populism. Maturing as a writer, he began allowing for the co-existence of both streams, deepening and enriching his literary world. Next it clarifies the elements of Russian Christian sects in "Chevengur" which represent the utopian ideals of pre-Revolution Russia. Platonov's birthplace, Russia's breadbasket, was the ancient well spring for Christian sects, whose traditions were kept even after the Revolution. Last it analyzes the usage of the word "body" which shows typical feature of Platonov's style. In "Chevengur" "body" is separate from the subject "I" and begins to exist independently of it. The same phenomenon occurs in the cases of other words. A physical object gains feeling, and a feeling is materialized. Such a usage of words produces a fantasy-like and, at the same time, extremely realistic view of the world. It is also connected to Orthodox traditions, which served as the basis of Russian culture.;The dissertation concludes with an understanding of how deep the root of Platonov's apparently absurd world is. The hopes and fears of the New World and the positive and negative heritage from the old one interact in Platonov's novel.