Date of Thesis
Spring 2026
Description
Russian literature is known for its examination of the inner self. Mikhail Lermontov, a Romantic pioneer of this tradition, made use of various demonic protagonists in his poems as a vehicle for exploring such themes as alienation, isolation, and the rejection of society as they relate to the self. Analyses of these characters are often framed in relation to the “great” writers of his time and to Caucasian folklore, without considering his connection to Russian culture during the Romantic movement. However, as this paper will explore in the context of Lermontov’s two poems “The Demon” and “The Rusalka,” analysis framed in relation to the folklore and classical literature popularized in Russia as a result of the Romantic movement offers a deeper, more multifaceted view of both Lermontov’s demonic characters and how they reflect the struggle with alienation.
Keywords
russian literature, mikhail lermontov
Access Type
Honors Thesis (Bucknell Access Only)
Degree Type
Bachelor of Arts
Major
Russian Studies
Second Major
Linguistics
First Advisor
Lenora Murphy
Recommended Citation
Sromoski, Beth, "Undressing Lermontov's Demons" (2026). Honors Theses. 781.
https://digitalcommons.bucknell.edu/honors_theses/781
Comments
Russian literature is known for its examination of the inner self. Mikhail Lermontov, a Romantic pioneer of this tradition, made use of various demonic protagonists in his poems as a vehicle for exploring such themes as alienation, isolation, and the rejection of society as they relate to the self. Analyses of these characters are often framed in relation to the “great” writers of his time and to Caucasian folklore, without considering his connection to Russian culture during the Romantic movement. However, as this paper will explore in the context of Lermontov’s two poems “The Demon” and “The Rusalka,” analysis framed in relation to the folklore and classical literature popularized in Russia as a result of the Romantic movement offers a deeper, more multifaceted view of both Lermontov’s demonic characters and how they reflect the struggle with alienation.