On Socialist Realism

Translated from Russian by George Dennis, this article, written in poetic prose, is presented in its first full English translation.

The title of this article does not even begin to convey its importance as an intellectual and historical document. It is, we believe, one of the most significant Pieces of writing to come out of contemporary Russia; and we take pride in presenting here the first full English translation.

The article was written in Russia by a Russian writer, 37 or 38 years old. He managed to convey it to Paris, where the liberal monthly Esprit published a French translation. It was written before the Pasternak affair, and has, of course, not appeared in Russia itself.

The version that follows has been translated from the Russian by Mr. George Delinis. Mr. Dennis notes:

“The style tells a good deal about the man. The article is written in poetic Prose, the oldest type of Russian prose, whose persistence in Russia was recently revealed to the West by the publication of Doctor Zhivago. This persistence may well be news also to the Russians: this article should help to allay the fears recently expressed by Constantine Paustovski, a talented and humane Soviet writer, that the Russian language would be completely replaced by a party jargon.

“To a Western reader, Russian poetic prose does not always make easy reading. It is not only peppered with verse; it is also a series of lyrical outbursts. I can assure the reader that the original contains even more question marks and exclamation points than the translation. Moreover, the prose is shot through with poetic images, metaphors and rhythms. Fundamentally, it is a personal prose as well as a product of its national environment.

“A closer stylistic analysis will reveal that the poetic prose of this article has been formed by a process of historical accumulation. The succession of strata can still be seen, as in a geological formation. Over the original Slav stratum is a strong layer of Byzantinism, mainly contributed by the Orthodox religion. Then comes a layer contributed by the West, in this case mostly German idealistic philosophy and French literature. The top layer is Marxist or, if you wish, Communist. The Russian language has assimilated them all, just as, no doubt, it is now engaged in assimilating American influences .. .

“The best clue to unravelling the ambiguities in which the author’s attitude toward Communism is inevitably involved,” continues Mr. Dennis, “is the irony which sets the tone of the article. There is at least one example of it on every page. This kind of irony has been the favorite literary weapon of Russian and, indeed, European writers .. .

“It might help American readers to understand the outlook of the author if they recalled how Swift, savagely lashing out against the English Ascendency in Ireland, remained part of that Ascendency. Our author has freed one of his feet from Communism. He uses it to kick Communism, and some of his kicks are pretty hard. But his other foot is still stuck in Comm...