Subject
VN Bibliography: Dmitrienko on VN in Russian schools
Date
Body
EDITOR's NOTE. I would like to thanks Olga Dmitrienko for presenting me
with a copy of her work described below at the April Pushkin/Nabokov
Conference in Spb.
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Russia apparently
has a list of literary works that may be studied as part of the public
school curriculum. I gather that the teacher or some local authority sets
what of those works are used. One suspects that Nabokov is not often
chosen. (Nor is he here). Olga Dmitrienko has set out to make VN a more
popular choice with her new handbook for teachers. Recognizing that
Nabokov is a demanding writer that requires a radically different way of
reading than most of the literary curriculum, she has entitled her booklet
VOSXOZHDENIE K NABOKOVU (The Ascent to Nabokov [Spb: Glagol, 1998]).
Academic snobbery is such that "how-to" books for secondary education
often get short schrift. Dmitrienko's booklet has much to be said for it.
The author has a good grasp of how Nabokov should be approached and what
the problems are. She also makes good use of much of the criticism on the
works examined.
For those interested I present her table of contents.
Chapter I. Analysis of the Charatceristics of VN's stylistic system on
the basis of works slected for sudy in the schol
1.1 Bunin's thematic & stylistic influence on VN's story "Obida" (A Bad
Day_
1.2 the Problem of choice, self-realization, and immoralism in "The
Aurelian"
1.3 Invitation to a Beheading as a surrealistic interpretation of the
theme of Hamlet
1.4 The meaning of creativity, the journey of the spirit, and "final
questions" in THE GIFT.
Chapter II. Devices and Methods
2.1 Study of the poem "The Stairs" in the Vth class
2.2 Practice Analysis of the story "Obida" (A Bad Day) in the VIth class
2.3 A Compositional- stylistic Analysis of "The Aurelian" and the poem
"Okno" (The Window) in the VIIIth class
2.4 The Devices and methods of studying THE GIFT in the XIth class.
2.5 Forms of Readers Creation in the study of INVITATION TO A BEHEADING.
The second chapter includes study questions and exercises as well
as extensive samples of student responses.
with a copy of her work described below at the April Pushkin/Nabokov
Conference in Spb.
----------------------------------
Russia apparently
has a list of literary works that may be studied as part of the public
school curriculum. I gather that the teacher or some local authority sets
what of those works are used. One suspects that Nabokov is not often
chosen. (Nor is he here). Olga Dmitrienko has set out to make VN a more
popular choice with her new handbook for teachers. Recognizing that
Nabokov is a demanding writer that requires a radically different way of
reading than most of the literary curriculum, she has entitled her booklet
VOSXOZHDENIE K NABOKOVU (The Ascent to Nabokov [Spb: Glagol, 1998]).
Academic snobbery is such that "how-to" books for secondary education
often get short schrift. Dmitrienko's booklet has much to be said for it.
The author has a good grasp of how Nabokov should be approached and what
the problems are. She also makes good use of much of the criticism on the
works examined.
For those interested I present her table of contents.
Chapter I. Analysis of the Charatceristics of VN's stylistic system on
the basis of works slected for sudy in the schol
1.1 Bunin's thematic & stylistic influence on VN's story "Obida" (A Bad
Day_
1.2 the Problem of choice, self-realization, and immoralism in "The
Aurelian"
1.3 Invitation to a Beheading as a surrealistic interpretation of the
theme of Hamlet
1.4 The meaning of creativity, the journey of the spirit, and "final
questions" in THE GIFT.
Chapter II. Devices and Methods
2.1 Study of the poem "The Stairs" in the Vth class
2.2 Practice Analysis of the story "Obida" (A Bad Day) in the VIth class
2.3 A Compositional- stylistic Analysis of "The Aurelian" and the poem
"Okno" (The Window) in the VIIIth class
2.4 The Devices and methods of studying THE GIFT in the XIth class.
2.5 Forms of Readers Creation in the study of INVITATION TO A BEHEADING.
The second chapter includes study questions and exercises as well
as extensive samples of student responses.