LITERARY CRITICISM OF THE 80S OF THE 19TH CENTURY AND GIORGI TSERETELI

Abstract

The paper discusses the opinions expressed by Georgian critics from the 1880s regarding various aspects of Giorgi Tsereteli, the great Georgian writer, including his personal life, social impact, and creative style. On the critical review journey of Giorgi Tsereteli’s work, we will tentatively focus on the 1880s. Among the opinions expressed, those of Ekvtime Takaishvili, M. Nasidze (“It’s me” - M.K.), St. Chrelashvili, R. Eristavi, Jacob Gogebashvili, Al. Toidze, as well as unsigned articles, stand out. These articles were published in various periodicals. We will commemorate the memory of Arthur Leist, the distinguished German journalist and translator who extensively researched Georgian literature. According to Arthur Leist, Petre Umikashvili, Niko Khizanishvili, and Giorgi Tsereteli met at Ilia Chavchavadze’s house. Leist characterizes Petre Umikashvili as hardworking, calm, direct, and modest. He notes that Niko Khizanishvili and Giorgi Tsereteli had completely different characters, with both actively participating in literary activities during the eighties.” If we revisit Giorgi Tsereteli’s polemical letters, we should concur with Arthur Leist that, unlike Petre Umikashvili, he possessed a truly modest, independent and combative character. The critics’ opinions on Giorgi Tsereteli’s creative work align with those that gradually surfaced in the 80s of the 19th century. This alignment is attributed, on one hand, to the heightened vigor of literary criticism and the increased authority of critics, and, on the other hand, to the diverse methods and techniques of critical analysis.