Maria Pryhara as/and the woman from <i>Proletarska Pravda</i>: the influence of the media construct on the feminine literary work

Abstract

The article relevance is caused by need to find out the influence of masculine practices and interests on women's literary work, in particular in the second decade of the 20th century. The Bolshevism demonstrates overt masculinity, forming politics through men's interests, principles and practices especially by media. A. Kollontai’s policy on the “women’s issue”, was in conflict with the masculine propaganda. Elucidation of this distinction, and its influence on the women's literary writing on the example of poetess Maria Pryhara, is defined as the purpose of the proposed research.

Describing the “new woman”, A. Kollontai resorted primarily to psychological characteristics: she conquers her emotions, cherishes independence, she appreciates her and others' freedom, etc. The media discourse of the second half of the 1920s was conceived as an effective tool for integrating women into public life. The newspaper “Proletarska Pravda” represents women as a mechanism whose value is in the labor productivity. A new woman had to be involved in the male world and adopt its defining qualities: militarism, industrialization, force, expansion.

Among the employees of “Proletarska Pravda” Pryhara was a non-staff correspondent. The main themes of her lyrics published in the press are the Bolshevist revolution and war; history of revolutions and class struggle; Soviet achievements; working class.

These themes correspond to the outlined by the press interests of a Soviet woman, which is quite like a man. The female lyrical character is represented only in two texts, but it is noteworthy that she is depicted at plant.

The art world presented in other verses by Maria Pryhara is considerably masculine. The topoi of port, factory, mine, printing house, construction, railway, tavern and city in general have the weight in it. The characters of M. Pryhara’s lyrics are: a proletarian / subjugator of the equipment, a hero capable of self-sacrifice during the class struggle, a soldier of the revolution.

Thus, the media influence on the female lyrics is manifested in the masculinization of the artistic world, and ultimately leads to the loss of the female voice.