Lermontov's work and the magazine "Moskvityanin"
Modern studies of Lermontov's work have accumulated a considerable number of researches on the history of these studies, as a special branch of literary criticism. This article deals with the formation of Lermontov studies in 1840-1850, the period associated with the critical work of the so-called «old editorial board» and «young editorial board» of «Moskvityanin» - a question that has not yet received proper scientific coverage. The authors analyze the main trends and evolution of the views of both editorial boards on Lermontov's work from three perspectives: as an expression of a particular critic's position, as a reflection of critical experience within the journal «Moskvityanin» and as a more profound study of Lermontov as a whole. The article examines Lermontov's work as seen by the «old» editorial board and the «young» editorial board of the «Moskvityanin» magazine. The article focuses mainly on the works by S. P. Shevyrev, the backbone of the «old editorial board», and by Ap. A. Grigoriev, a representative of the «young editorial board. A fundamentally new aspect in the article is explaining an important and controversial role of « Moskvityanin» in the early stage of Lermontov studies, as well as introducing materials from the periphery of research into contemporary literary criticism. The opinions of both editorial circles of the magazine are examined according to the following parameters: originality of Lermontov's talent, originality of the poet's work, other writer's imitation of Lermontov, subjective nature of Lermontov's work, objective content and its social projection. The article indicates the main and topical problems of Lermontov studies, describes the perception of Lermontov's work by the critics from both editorial boards of «Moskvityanin» magazine and shows the level of development in Lermontov studies at its initial stage.