Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov
Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov was a prominent Russian novelist renowned for his insightful explorations of the human condition and social critique. Born into a wealthy merchant family in Simbirsk, he received a comprehensive education, culminating at Moscow State University. After a brief stint in government service, he moved to Saint Petersburg, where he began publishing poetry and fiction in various almanacs. His literary career took off with the publication of his first novel, The Same Old Story, in 1847, but it was his second novel, Oblomov, released in 1859, that solidified his reputation. Oblomov, often regarded as a classic of Russian literature, delves into themes of inertia and the complexities of the Russian character, influencing generations of writers and critics alike. Goncharov's final novel, The Precipice, published in 1869, continued his exploration of existential themes and societal issues. Throughout his life, he also contributed to literary criticism and theatre, and he held various official positions, including that of a censor. In his later years, Goncharov penned a memoir titled An Uncommon Story, in which he controversially accused his contemporaries, particularly Ivan Turgenev, of plagiarism and hindering his literary success. Despite these disputes, his legacy endures, with contemporaries like Fyodor Dostoevsky and Anton Chekhov recognizing his significant contributions to literature, affirming his status as a major figure in Russian literary history.
Famous Quotes
View all 12 quotes“Amacına doğru yürürken engelleri cüretle aşar ve ancak önüne aşılmaz bir duvar veya bir uçurum çıkarsa geri dönerdi. Gözlerini kapayıp uçuruma atılmak ya da belki deviririm diye duvara saldırmak onun harcı değildi. Duvarı veya uçurumu ölçer, biçer, hakkından gelemeyeceğinden emin olursa, kim ne derse desin sırtını döner giderdi.””
“Lying down was not for Oblomov a necessity, as it is for a sick man or for a man who is sleepy; or a matter of chance, as it is for a man who is tired; or a pleasure, as it is for a lazy man: it was his normal condition.””
“Ya ben yaşadığım hayatı anlayamadım ya da bu hayatın hiçbir değeri yoktu. Daha iyisini de bulamadım,göremedim,kimse de göstermedi. Sen bir gelip bir kayboluyordun,tıpkı parlak,hızlı bir kuyruklu yıldız gibi. Bense her şeyi unutuyor,ağır ağır sönüyordum.””
