The Mysticism of History and the Transcendent Vision of the Great Patriotic War

This article examines the evolution of “mystical discourse” in literature on Great Patriotic War from 1941 to 2008. It analyses content ideas about participation supernatural principles people’s relations and fate peoples different historical conditions. The author reveals gnoseological potential socio-cultural mission irrational knowledge that claims be universal truth. “transcendent vision” formula integrates a variety manifestations – intuitions metaphysical concepts. analysis is done with reference poetry by K. Simonov, A. Akhmatova, Tvardovsky, N. Glazkov, Yu. Kuznetsov, poem Leningrad Apocalypse D. Andreev, Mother’s Dreams V. Shukshin, God Soldier Pietsukh, Live Remember Rasputin, Psalm F. Gorenstein, Cursed Killed Astafyev, Tankman or ‘White Tiger’ I. Boyashov. author’s reflections transcendent realised three modes: discovery, mystical propensities, philosophising. discovery presence principle as real beneficial force characteristic wartime lyrics. Vital intuition actualises archetypal resource national culture: ancestral memory, voice Earth, nature, patronage ancestors, sacred power Russian word. Awareness special protective love based deep ethics folk tradition corresponds religious philosophy Wisdom human relations. effectiveness both confirmed prophetic dreams actions heroines works Shukshin Rasputin. Theodicy became central problem post-war feeling disastrous social experience. A visionary Andreev ballads Kuznetsov are versions poetic gnosis: they interpret war an episode eternal conflict darkness light, confrontation demons great power, which ordinary person assigned role victim poet “messenger”, painter these forces. reasoner-toned concepts Gorenstein Astafyev regard last judgment peoples, payment for fall God’s grace. Boyashov’s novel Manichaean idea dual evil: can only crushed hatred. Experiencing ontological its suggestions, artist feels involved origin.