Marina Tsvetaeva and Anatoly Steiger:
A Novel in Letters (Reconstruction Attempt)

Авторы
E. N. Proskurina, P. V. Proskurina-Yanovich
The article proposes a reconstruction of M. Tsvetaeva’s epistolary novel with the young emigrant A. Steiger. The dynamics of their relationship is traced, where there is a tie, movement to the culmination and completion: a break. The characteristic features of Tsvetaeva’s letters are shown: nervous style, expression. The differences of this novel in letters from the epistolary “triangle” of Tsvetaevа – Rilke – Pasternak are revealed. If the dialogue between them is the relationship of equal poets, then in relation to Steiger Tsvetaeva appears as a protective mother. A specific set of Tsvetaevа’s motives is revealed, where the main thing is love for the inaccessible, unrealizable. In general, the correspondence with Shteiger reinforces a virtual plot common for Tsvetaeva’s letters. In it, the main role is assigned to her lyrical perception of another – his “re-creation” for himself, ascension to the romantic ideal and rejection of the original person, leading to disappointment and rupture.
DOI
10.25205/2307-1737-2021-1-298-315
Аннотация

The article proposes a reconstruction of M. Tsvetaeva’s epistolary novel with the young emigrant A. Steiger. The dynamics of their relationship is traced, where there is a tie, movement to the culmination and completion: a break. The characteristic features of Tsvetaeva’s letters are shown: nervous style, expression. The differences of this novel in letters from the epistolary “triangle” of Tsvetaevа – Rilke – Pasternak are revealed. If the dialogue between them is the relationship of equal poets, then in relation to Steiger Tsvetaeva appears as a protective mother. A specific set of Tsvetaevа’s motives is revealed, where the main thing is love for the inaccessible, unrealizable. In general, the correspondence with Shteiger reinforces a virtual plot common for Tsvetaeva’s letters. In it, the main role is assigned to her lyrical perception of another – his “re-creation” for himself, ascension to the romantic ideal and rejection of the original person, leading to disappointment and rupture.

Keywords
poets of the first emigration, M. Tsvetaeva, A. Steiger, epistolary novel, plot, motive, style

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Marina Tsvetaeva and Anatoly Steiger:
A Novel in Letters (Reconstruction Attempt) С. 298–315. DOI 10.25205/2307-1737-2021-1-298-315