“...Th e artist must also have a conscience...”: M. N. Katkov in the history of the publication of I. S. Turgenev’s novel “Smoke”

Abstract

The article traces the history of the publication of the novel by I. S. Turgenev “Smoke” in the journal of M. N. Katkov “Russkiy Vestnik”. The dialogue of the writer and editor in 1867 is the last case of creative cooperation, which is characterized by a sharp exacerbation of their relations in connection with Katkov’s proposed reductions in the proof of “Smoke”. Turgenev was forced to choose between obligations to the journal and writing conscience, their artistic tasks. The essence of the changes and amendments Katkov reflected the most acute problems of reforms in Russia, high society, the state, European civilization. The question of obvious, obvious from the point of view of contemporaries, prototypes of characters came to the fore. Katkov showed firmness of conviction and forced the writer to make serious concessions on the text of the work, which Turgenev later regretted, restoring key cuts in a separate edition of “Smoke”.