Allusions and reminiscences in the works by Joseph Brodsky

Abstract

This article examines allusions and the most significant reminiscences found in the works by Joseph Brodsky. In the course of the research, we analyze Brodsky’s quotes, analogies, paraphrases and main references to the works authored by famous Russian and foreign writers, poets and cultural figures. A special place in the article is occupied by Brodsky’s allusions to the poetic activities of Alexander S. Pushkin. The use of allusions and open reminiscences is characteristic of postmodern literature. In Joseph Brodsky’s works, allusions allow one to show the evolution of concepts, heroes, scenes of action, or to look at any social or philosophical problem from the author’s perspective. Open reminiscences are usually combined with paraphrases and pastiches, with a deliberate change in the intention of the author or authorhero. Hidden reminiscences make it possible to create a dialogue between two authors within the framework of a poetic work. The Soviet period of Joseph Brodsky’s creative work is characterized by the presence of a large number of references to Russian poets. Brodsky analyzes the social problems they identified. These problems become the subject-matter of Brodsky’s heroes’ discussions. Within the framework of philosophical reasoning, Brodsky criticizes various aspects of modern society, sometimes Soviet society is directly criticized. The American period is most valuable for determining the nature of the influence of other poets and writers on Brodsky’s legacy. With a detailed study of the author’s poetry, you can see that his work was significantly influenced by such figures as: Homer, Guy Virgil Catullus, William Shakespeare, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, William Butler Yeats, Robert Frost, Wistan Hugh Auden, as well as Alexander S. Pushkin, Fyodor I. Tyutchev, Ivan S. Turgenev and Afanasy A. Fet. We set ourselves a task of showing the degree of influence of these authors on Brodsky’s work by analyzing the main reminiscences and allusions in his poetry.

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