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This podcast examines the identity of Nikolai Gogol, a writer born and raised in Ukraine who wrote in Russian during the Russian Empire. The discussion highlights aspects of Oleh S. Ilnytzkyj's academic work "Nikolai Gogol: Ukrainian Writer in the Empire. A Study in Identity". The episodes in this series were created by NotebookLM, trained on his book. They challenge the traditional portrayal of Gogol as a 'Russian' writer, showing that Gogol was fundamentally Ukrainian, even as he wrote in Russian within the imperial cultural framework.
Episode 1: Nikolai Gogol, Ukrainian Writer
In this episode, we delve into an AI-crafted dialogue brought to life by Google’s NotebookLM. Following a brief introduction by Oleh S. Ilnytzkyj, two AI-synthesized voices present a unique overview of his book, reflecting NotebookLM’s interpretation of the original text. Tune in for a fascinating blend of technology and literature! [Go to Transcript]
Episode 2: Gogol's Ukrainian Identity and Imperial Culture
Episode 2 brings the past to life with an AI-generated dialogue, created by NotebookLM, that dives into the question of Nikolai Gogol's national identity, inspired by Oleh S. Ilnytzkyj's book.
Was Gogol a Russian writer, as traditional scholarship insists, or does his work reflect the realities of Ukrainian identity within the 19th-century imperial framework? This episode unpacks the ideology of 'all-Russian' unity, which sought to dissolve distinct national identities into a singular Russian nation, and contrasts the compelling interpretations of scholars Oleh Ilnytzkyj and Edyta Bojanowska. Join us for a thought-provoking exploration of empire, culture, and identity through the lens of one of literature's most enigmatic figures. [Go to Transcript]
Episode 3: Gogol's Reception and Appropriation
This episode centers on chapter 2 of Oleh S. Ilnytzkyj’s scholarly work on Nikolai Gogol.
We delve into the reception of Nikolai Gogol's work in Ukrainian and Russian literary circles, with a focus on his early masterpiece, Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka, published under the pseudonym Rudy Panko. Our AI-generated guests analyze how this collection captivated Russian critics, sparking debates over whether Gogol was a Ukrainian or Russian writer. The discussion examines these reactions to reveal the deep anxieties surrounding Russian national identity within the 19th-century Empire. We also highlight the response from Ukrainian intellectuals, particularly Andriy Storozhenko’s detailed critique of Gogol’s work. Finally, the episode reflects on the enduring relevance of Gogol’s legacy in contemporary discussions of national identity, cultural ownership, and the complexities of literary history within an imperial context. [Go to Transcript]
