The Autocratic Myth in the Late Journalism of Valentin Rasputin: The “Russian Idea” in an Eschatological Context

Abstract

The article is devoted to research of features of mythological model, which is reflected in the late journalism of Valentin Rasputin. The complex of interconnected myths is revealed, their historical roots are traced. The eschatological myth is considered; the author shows that the messianic idea of Russia’s unique role in the world is accompanied by the construction of the enemy image. Images of internal enemies (liberals) and external enemies (Europe and America) are demonized. The eschatological experiences of the crisis moments of “adjustment period” and the beginning of the 21st century are accompanied by utopian nostalgia for the “Golden Age”, which the writer saw in the historical background of Russia, particularly in the Soviet era. The article considers Rasputin’s utopian idea of power and the government leader. Denying liberal values, the writer asserts the idea of a strong ruler, whose main function is to “fulfill God’s laws”. Stalin is recognized as an example of a leader who expressed the «national spirit». Rasputin’s mythology has common features with the concept of “Third Rome” and with some categories of Old Russian autocratic ideology of the 16th century, as well as with the ideas of Old Believers. The article traces the ways of constructing the author’s myth. The writer’s mythology is based on non-critical use of concepts and myths and is based on archetypes of national mythology. Besides, the writer constructs the myth with the help of language tools, creating neologisms and using estimation vocabulary. Rasputin's mythological model reflects the conceptual core of conservative ideology.