쿠프린의 결투와 제국의 몰락

Abstract

Alexander Kuprin's novel The Duel is closely connected to the author's biographical facts. Reading The Duel in this context will give a clear answer as to how this novel relates to the fall of the Russian Empire. This study also attempts to decide which part of the story that provides a vivid depiction of the notable weakening of the Russian army lead the people of the Russian Empire to distrust their ruler, the government and the military. At the same time this study reconsiders the images of the major characters in the novel. With these purposes in mind, this study sheds light on the fact that the heated debate centered on The Duel between the progressive and the conservative groups of the times actually turned out to be another factor for the novel's success. This fact leads to proving that The Duel brought about a major social sensation at its times. This study also observes the images of the major characters, namely Romashov, Nazansky and Shurochka, and any changes that these characters undergo, in order to discuss how the hopeless and destructive environment in the military of those times was formed. At the same time, this study analyzes Kuprin's narrative technique which, by depicting the daily routines of the officers and soldiers of the military bases in the border regions, shows the readers the fundamental reason why the army of the Russian Empire could not avoid the humiliating defeat by the Japanese. In conclusion, one may observe that the novel itself was Kuprin's own duel with the old and weakened army of the Tsar and the Empire, and perhaps even a duel with the social system itself. Such a bold duel caused a great social sensation that made the author an overnight celebrity and also a part of the proud Russian literary tradition. The symbolic duel of the novel also played the role, albeit unwittingly, of expediting the closing of an era and the coming of another.