“The Sign of Scales” by Maxym Rylsky: The Articulation of Trauma of Socialist Realism and an Attempt to Overcome it

This article aims to analyze the first Socialist Realism poetry collection of Maksym Rylsky “The Sign Scales” which was written after poet’s six-months imprisonment in 1931. Also, this investigation outlines strategies articulation Rylsky’s trauma forced transition Realist, as well ways expressing himself works a Neoclassical poet. demonstrates ability balance allowed and desired topics. has two readers. The one is Soviet authority. For reader, glorifies socialist labor, scientific progress, Vladimir Lenin’s achievements. Confessing past errors, he considers his 1920s an ideological mistake. Another recipient well-educated neoclassical reader who can recognize hidden references poems. In poems Scales”, implements images, citations, allusions European literature, Neoclassicists, translations from French literature / their French. To go beyond Sovietism, author appeals ideologically neutral philosophical poetry. poet keep memory core images Neoclassicism. purpose, numerously names them even negative meaning. Though that witnessed Realist break works, found express collection. It means never betrayed idea high art remained representative Kyiv Neoclassicism 1930–1950s.