Principles of evaluation and canonization of dramatic works by Ukrainian publicists of the late XIX — early XX century

Abstract

The subject of the study is the dramatic canon, a problem that is urgent for every nation. As a quite changeable phenomenon the theater is highly sensitive to social demand. So it is very important to understand those principles and bases which could be used for evaluation of dramatic works deserved to be introduced into national canon. The Aim of the Study is to highlight on the material of journalism of the late XIX — early XX century the criteria of the canon of dramatic works, criteria, tested not only by time but also by intelligence. The experience of Ukrainian publicists of the late XIX — early XX centuries in this field is very important. Ukrainians, divided nationally and ethnically, had developed the system of mutual codes, namely the cultural ones. Moreover, mainly they took a pattern from the experience of the made historical nations with established theater history. The study found that the development of such basic codes was conducted in several directions at the same time. This includes development of principles of poetic diction evaluation, and determination of the requirements to the author’s personality, and selection of original works of national literature as classical ones and concluding a genre repertoire of the theaters. Due to specific character of interpretation of educational role of dramatic literature and plays at that time, it is worth discussing the ideological part of the requirements to the of high-quality literary text. Urgent ideological contents was researched (Ivan Franko, Mykola Yevshan, Lesya Ukrainka) as a compulsory factor of a work’s success. However, it has to not stipulate didacticism, but rather serve as illustration material. Serhij Yefremov, when speaking about Ukrainian playwriting of the stated period being a literature historian, emphasized on theatrical effectiveness and contents and formal integrity of a play. The revealed criteria for the formation of a canon constitute novelty of the study and its practical significance, becoming a measure of the evaluation of those works that can be expanded by the Ukrainian dramatic canon. In general, forming a canon is a positive and discussive phenomenon, since it brings to find points of contact and renewal of integrity of separated national literature and culture.