The First Encounter
The First Encounter
Andrey Bely
Translated and Introduced by Gerald Janeček
Preliminary Remarks, Notes, and Comments Nina Berberova
Series: Princeton Legacy Library
Copyright Date: 1979
Published by: Princeton University Press
Pages: 164
https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt13x0v0n
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The First Encounter
Book Description:

First published in Russian in 1921 and never translated, Audrey Bely's long narrative poem-considered to be one of the great achievements of Russian Modernism-is translated to English here. A poet, critic, philosopher, and novelist, Bely was a leading figure among the Russian Symbolists, and The First Encounter is thought to be his greatest work in verse. The poem is autobiographical and reflects turn of-the-century Moscow with its mixture of entrenched positivism and new spiritualistic trends, cultural variety and the upheaval of the time.

Originally published in 1979.

ThePrinceton Legacy Libraryuses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These paperback editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

eISBN: 978-1-4008-6722-6
Subjects: Language & Literature
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  1. Front Matter
    Front Matter (pp. i-iv)
  2. Table of Contents
    Table of Contents (pp. v-vi)
  3. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
    LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS (pp. vii-viii)
  4. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
    ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (pp. ix-x)
    N. B. and G. J.
  5. INTRODUCTION
    INTRODUCTION (pp. xi-xx)
    Gerald J. Janeček

    When Bely’s poetry is praised,The First Encounter (Pervoe svidanie)is given a place of special honor; when his poetry is denounced, the poem is typically named as the one exception. Of all this great writer’s works, it remains the one whose artistic merit and value are unassailed. Some critics even place it among the finest achievements of twentieth-century Russian poetry.¹

    The poem is divided into four numbered, but untitled, parts and a Prologue and Epilogue. The Prologue is an introductory exhortation in which the poet commands his tongue (language) to revivify its powers for a flight of verbal wonder-working....

  6. [Map]
    [Map] (pp. xxi-xxii)
  7. PRELIMINARY REMARKS
    PRELIMINARY REMARKS (pp. xxiii-xxx)
    Nina Berberova
  8. THE FIRST ENCOUNTER
    THE FIRST ENCOUNTER (pp. 1-90)
  9. NOTES AND COMMENTS ON THE POEM
    NOTES AND COMMENTS ON THE POEM (pp. 91-130)
  10. APPENDIX I
    APPENDIX I (pp. 131-132)
  11. APPENDIX II
    APPENDIX II (pp. 133-134)
  12. Back Matter
    Back Matter (pp. 135-135)
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