I am a literary giant in Russia

Chapter 118 Another Perspective and New Trends

Every month, the first week of the month, St. Petersburg Imperial University becomes noticeably lively. People express their thoughts more enthusiastically, and students who are not usually talkative try to exchange ideas. Students who used to be loners also join discussion groups. The atmosphere is so captivating that even those who are indifferent to everything except their own future can't help but join in.

This scene is closely related to a very special magazine called "Modern Man" recently, and strictly speaking, it is closely related to a genius writer who has suddenly appeared in the past year. Very few writers can be like him, with each novel of such high quality that it can arouse heated discussions among people from all walks of life.

Even among the upper class who are least interested in some of his works, there is still a group of people who think about watching his work every month and casually comment on it.

The reason is simple: even though his tendencies may displease some people, in terms of readability and emotional impact, few Russian writers today can surpass his short stories. In fact, some critics who have been following Mikhail believe that his continued output of high-quality short stories signifies that the field of Russian short stories has gradually entered a new era.

Even if the others are only so-so, since we have Mikhail, then Russia has won!
In a sense, this is similar to how Lu Xun's "Diary of a Madman" became the first vernacular novel in the history of modern Chinese literature decades later. Its emergence also marked the maturation of vernacular literature and its rise to prominence on the historical stage.

This is what they call debuting at the peak.

With so much attention, Mikhail's latest short story is bound to generate a lot of discussion. In fact, it seems that this story is going to recreate the Ochumelov craze. At St. Petersburg Imperial University alone, students have already begun to privately identify professors as Belikov.

Even many professors who enjoy Mikhail's short stories, after reading his latest work, couldn't help but feel worried for a while, even though they were in a sense clear-headed and understood the reality of the situation. To the point that, in order to show that they weren't so meticulous, they even tried telling some dry jokes in class.

Moreover, this time, besides the short story, Mikhail's commentary on "The Superfluous Man" sparked numerous emotionally complex discussions in universities with a slightly stronger academic atmosphere, and these discussions took place in various places:

"Have you read 'The Superfluous Man'? Although I don't want to accept it emotionally, I have to admit that some of the arguments in his article are indeed reasonable."

"What a unique perspective! But he seems to be describing a literary phenomenon entirely, while neglecting the analysis of reality. Does he think there are a lot of such people in our Russian society? Does he think such people have a way out? He doesn't answer any of these questions."

"Did he really not say that? I feel like I've already figured out his hidden intention in the article."

"Oh? Really? Could you tell us about it?"

"Let's find a more suitable place to talk about this! Some things are better left unsaid openly."

"I think his description of the plight of the progressive aristocracy is very accurate. But how dare he call these people, the most advanced and knowledgeable group in Russia, superfluous?! Who else but such people can promote positive change in Russia?"

I think this is the limitation of his article! If I have the chance, I will definitely point out his mistakes on this issue to his face!

"Now's your chance! I heard that Mikhail has gone back to school and is continuing his studies. Yevgeny, a third-year student, supposedly ran into him in class. Although they didn't seem to exchange many words, Yevgeny has recounted their encounter countless times! He's currently taking classes in the law department. Go find him and oppose him!"

"I'll go right now! No, no, my legs are trembling just thinking about opposing him to his face. What a genius I'm going to oppose! Maybe if you come with me, I'll be able to say something."

“There are some things we need to make clear beforehand. I won’t object to him. I just want to see his face, hold his hand, and hear his voice.”

"Say something I don't want to say, Ivan!"

"The Superfluous Man? I've read it, I've already read it! This article clarified a certain idea that I seemed to have always had! It reminded me, but you have no idea how painful it was! I had seen myself in Onegin and Pechorin, but I could never quite put my finger on how it felt. Now I understand it all!"

But what happens after I understand? What should I do then? I desperately want to ask him for clarification; perhaps he can find a way out for me and for Russia! My ancestors have always told me how powerful Russia is today, but what other country has such a large and desperately poor population of serfs?

"Then go find him!"

“But there are students like me everywhere in St. Petersburg, while he has become one of the leading figures in the literary world, not inferior to even those older authorities! I have heard some important people in high society praise his poetry.”

"Don't worry, I've already met him. He's a very kind person. There are many people around him, but he still tries his best to take care of everyone. No matter what, he'll shake your hand. Although he doesn't express his opinions much, whenever he does speak, everyone should listen attentively!"

As all these phenomena and discussions unfolded, Mikhail, who frequently appeared on these topics, could only say that his university life was indeed far from peaceful.

Even though he had only been enrolled for two days, to be honest, Mikhail felt like almost a year had passed.
Attending classes wasn't too difficult; several professors in the law department were practically avoiding him, let alone making things difficult for him.

Therefore, the main difficulty lies in Mikhail talking to the university students who want to see him, answering some questions, and sometimes chatting about trivial matters.

Three or five is fine, but what if it keeps coming in waves without stopping?

Perhaps because Mikhail is now a minor celebrity, and because the two articles in this issue are very much to the liking of college students, at the busiest time, Mikhail was almost able to escape from the crowd only under the protection of Dmitry, a man as big as a bear.

It turned out that Dmitry's physical fitness was indeed excellent. He simply shifted his arm slightly in one direction, making room for Mikhail, while still being able to speak seriously: "Gentlemen, Mikhail has very important things to do. We'll talk about the rest next time." Because of the determination he displayed, as if he were about to do something big, coupled with Mikhail's calm expression, the initially very excited college students immediately calmed down a lot.

To be honest, Mikhail was just hungry and wanted to eat, which was indeed a very important matter.

During the meal, Dmitry, while expressing his joy at Mikhail's return to school, also expressed his regret:

"It's all because of those ridiculous school rules. Otherwise, Misha, you could have said something in public. I'd have found you something to amplify the sound, and I'd have sat near you. Whenever you paused, I'd stand up and applaud you! I would never have embarrassed you!"

Mikhail: “???”

No, is that right?

Demi, you're so good at understanding human relationships!

However, judging from Dmitri's expression, he didn't seem to be joking.
Just as Mikhail was feeling a bit tense, Dmitry said with a hint of reluctance, "Perhaps we can do this privately, like Mr. Petrashevsky did, find a suitable venue, a café or a restaurant, and spread the news in a small circle. I believe many people will come to participate, and I estimate it will not only be students from St. Petersburg University!"

Mikhail: “.”

Upon hearing this suggestion, Mikhail could only say that his eyes were completely black with shock. Was his perfectly good café and restaurant about to become his final resting place?
Fortunately, Dmitry didn't really want Mikhail to do anything extraordinary; he simply thought it might be more efficient and easier to answer some of the students' questions. However, after considering Nikichenko's words, Mikhail naturally refused such a conspicuous act.

As for what the college students wanted to see him about, some might simply want to meet him, and after meeting him, they might not be able to speak very well. Others wanted to discuss some issues with Mikhail, while still others asked more serious questions. To this, Mikhail could only say that he would try his best to give a decent answer.

He hasn't figured out some of the issues yet, so of course he wouldn't dare to make any rash statements.

Fortunately, there weren't as many students at St. Petersburg Imperial University as Mikhail had imagined, and only a portion of them probably wanted to talk to him. After these few days, Mikhail's life might settle down a bit.

Just as Mikhail was thinking this, on the other side, Alexei Ivanovich, the academic supervisor of St. Petersburg University, finally found some time to read a magazine that he had been hearing about from the students lately.

Despite being the university's academic supervisor, Alexei had little interest in reading. A man of military background and a true bureaucrat, he could not tolerate any opinion that challenged the system's foundations. He considered himself a loyal servant of the system, and he once said to others:
“I do not like people talking about the highest authorities of the government in a very disrespectful manner in front of me. This would undermine the state system that has been established since ancient times, and even lead to things like what is happening in France now.”

That's why he disliked hearing students talk about politics.

Literature is slightly better, but he has never believed that words will have any significant impact; they are merely a pastime when he is bored!

Influenced by this idea, even though people around him repeatedly emphasized that the return of a student who had become a writer to school would likely cause great obstacles to student management, he still didn't take the student he had no recollection of seriously and at most casually agreed.

Therefore, when he actually saw the unfamiliar student being surrounded by people, Alexei was quite surprised. Even he, as the academic supervisor, had never received such treatment at the university. Why should a young man be treated like this?
It should be noted that there are quite a few students from aristocratic backgrounds on university campuses today. For these students, money and power may not necessarily earn them respect.

However, despite the unsettling scene, the student being surrounded didn't seem to have done anything wrong, so much so that Alexei, the academic supervisor, was currently only under observation.

Also out of curiosity, he obtained a copy of "Modern Man," which had been edited by the principal, from somewhere else, and found the name he had memorized before starting to read the novel that he could better understand.

Unlike others, when he saw the character Belikov, he couldn't help but nod repeatedly in approval.

He only felt truly clear about what was prohibited, through government notices and newspaper articles.

What a perfect idea!

If everyone could live like this gentleman and have his mindset, then why would the government need to spend so much effort monitoring the activities of universities and the intellectual community?

After watching for a while, Alexei felt that Belikov was a character he liked quite a bit, but he was also deeply dissatisfied with the satire of such a good man.

However, it is indeed quite interesting to read.

After watching it all, although Alexei didn't perceive much danger, he couldn't help but think about the scene of the university students gathered together:
"His very presence seems to have sown the seeds of trouble and unrest. We should keep a close eye on him, otherwise who can imagine what unbearable things might happen?"

As these events unfolded, Nadya, who had been writing to Mikhail, naturally did not miss the release of "The Modern Man." In addition to her own copy, she also made sure to leave a copy for her father.

Come to think of it, her father sometimes mentioned this magazine more often than she did.
(End of this chapter)