Little Motherland in «Dayly Notes (Diary)» by Taras Shevchenko

Abstract

Abstract. Introduction. The proposed study analyzes the diary entries of our great compatriot, the brilliant poet and artist Taras Shevchenko. They cover a huge range of issues that truly outline the spiritual self-portrait of the thinker and the prophet, characterizing him as a highly educated person, a comprehensive expert on the cultural life of the world at that time. At the same time, they portray Shevchenko as a prominent patriot of his native Ukraine, his fatherland. Despite the fact that the diary is based on the idea of the long-awaited liberation from the exile and the first impressions of being free, Taras Shevchenko finds a place to remember his small fatherland, a distant childhood. It is striking, since he is only 14 years old from his birthplace and childhood, and those occasional days in his hometowns are at an advanced age. The particular topic of research is of special importance. First of all, the fact that Taras Shevchenko’s life and work are more relevant to the young sovereign Ukraine than ever before, and in the scientific sense the problem of everyday life research is of particular importance.

Formulation of the problem. In 2018, 160 years have passed since the creation of the Diary by Taras Shevchenko. The difficult and thorny path of this unique work to the reader. Through the efforts of the eminent scientist Sergiy Yefremov in 1927, he was reprinted with the remarkable forward words of the academician and comprehensive comments, the vast majority of which were made by scientists. However, over time, this publication, due to various circumstances, and, above all, the persecution of the creative achievements of the scientist, became virtually inaccessible to scientists and the general public. Cherkasy scientists have recently reprinted a Diary. This serves as a further in-depth scientific analysis of the spiritual self-portrait of Great Kobzar. Important in this regard is the question of Taras Shevchenko’s vision of his small Motherland, to find out whether, over time, the complexities of present-day problems, worries for the Poet have remained relevant to the history and present of his father’s home.

The aim of the study. On the basis of a thorough study of Taras Shevchenko’s daily records, to determine what specific mentions the author made about his childhood places, about well-known countrymen, to show his vision of causation. Another important area of the proposed study is the analysis of Academician Sergiy Efremov’s comments on the small homeland of Kobzar, which are the most competent of their time.

Results. First. Ukraine, the fatherland is 14 childhood years, and several years of adulthood during a short stay here. However, he was forever engrossed in the life and work of Genius. This is confirmed by “Daily Notes (Journal)”, which became a stage in the tragic biography of the Poet and the Artist.

Second. The “Daily Notes (Journal)” fully attested to the greatness of our great countryman, his prophecy in thoughts and conclusions. Here is at least one of them: “Great Fulton and great Watt! Your young and fast growing baby is growing up, soon will eat whips, thrones and crowns, and diplomats and landlords will only be a bite, indulge like a schoolboy with a lollipop. What encyclopedists have started in France, will be finished by your colossal brilliant child on our planet. My prophecy is undoubteful”.

In his commentary on the Diary, Sergei Efremov notes on this record, Poet states that his prophecy will inevitably come to pass, “as if wishing to emphasize and affirm this deep thought about the connection between revolution in technology and revolution in politics and social relations relying on history inherited. I am sure that for many these lines will be a great surprise, who from above used to look at “semi-literate” and “ignorant” Shevchenko.

Third. It is worth noting that the comments made by Academician Sergei Efremov - a remarkable study of the life and work of Taras Shevchenko - a creative achievement of a scientist who has left his name forever in the world Shevchenko study.