- 1. "Journey From St. Petersburg to Moscow" by Alexander Radishchev, published in 1790, is a foundational work of Russian literature that intertwines travel narrative with social critique. The book chronicles Radishchev's journey along the main highway connecting the two major cities, St. Petersburg and Moscow, while vividly depicting the landscapes, towns, and people he encounters along the way. Through his observations, Radishchev paints a stark picture of the social injustices and the plight of the peasantry in Russia at the time, providing a poignant commentary on the harsh realities of serfdom and the cruelty of the ruling class. His interactions with various characters, including merchants, peasants, and members of the nobility, reveal the complexities of Russian society, and his reflections on freedom, justice, and the human condition resonate deeply. The narrative is interspersed with philosophical musings, which elevate it beyond mere travel writing to a profound exploration of moral and ethical questions. Despite its literary significance, the book was controversial and faced censorship due to its critical stance against the autocracy and the serfdom system, reflecting the tensions of Enlightenment thought in a society grappling with oppressive traditions. Radishchev's journey thus becomes not only a physical trek but also a symbolic quest for enlightenment and reform, marking a significant moment in the history of Russian literature and social thought.
What year was 'Journey From St. Petersburg To Moscow' first published?
A) 1812
B) 1776
C) 1790
D) 1861
- 2. Who is the author of 'Journey From St. Petersburg To Moscow'?
A) Alexander Radishchev
B) Leo Tolstoy
C) Fyodor Dostoevsky
D) Nikolai Gogol
- 3. Which Russian ruler was so angered by the book that she sentenced the author to death?
A) Alexander I
B) Nicholas I
C) Peter the Great
D) Catherine the Great
- 4. The book's structure is a fictional account of a journey that critiques which system?
A) The military
B) Serfdom
C) The monarchy
D) The Orthodox Church
- 5. What was the author's sentence commuted to after his death sentence?
A) Life imprisonment
B) Hard labor
C) Exile to Siberia
D) A public flogging
- 6. In what language was the book first published?
A) French
B) German
C) Russian
D) English
- 7. How did the author publish the book?
A) On his own private press
B) Anonymously in France
C) With a fake publisher's name
D) As a serial in a journal
- 8. The book was officially banned in Russia until when?
A) 1905
B) 1917
C) It was never unbanned
D) 1861
- 9. What is the central theme that unites the various stories in the book?
A) The beauty of the Russian landscape
B) The injustice of social inequality
C) The importance of religious faith
D) The need for industrial progress
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