Miłosz wobec Rosji

ENThe views of Miłosz on Russia were shaped by his childhood memories. As a six-year-old he experienced the Russian revolution and therefore his attitude was marked by anxiety and the feeling of alienation. The author of "The Land of Ulro" often uses stereotypes, which, however, does not mean he is being superficial. Like many Polish nineteenth and twentieth century intellectuals, he associates Russia with the notion of slave-like dependence on power and fate and the lack of individual responsibility. He repeats the common view of the national character of religion in Russia and is critical of the Russian myth of nation as the body of Christ. In Russian literature he is attracted by the concept of evil and suffering. He finds there, especially in Dostoyevsky's novels, intriguing Manichaean aspects of the world. The idea of apokatastasis, so typical for Eastern culture is also very important to him. Focused on the influence of the Orthodox Church on Russian mentality and on analyzing the Manichaean aspects existing there, he ignores the important aspect of Eastern Christianity visible in liturgy and the art of icons. Although, as he himself admits, as a university student he was seeking a new heaven and a new earth and had strong left - wing views, he found a warning in Shestov and Solovyov against the notion of a kingdom of common happiness and fulfillment here on earth.