A Nasty Story with Champagne

Dekhanova, O.A., and Dekhanov, M.Е. “A Nasty Story with Champagne.” Dostoevsky and World Culture. Philological journal, no. 4 (32), 2025, pp. 144–165. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.22455/2619-0311-2025-4-144-165

Received: 02 Feb. 2025

Approved after reviewing: 12 May 2025

Published: 25 Dec. 2025

Issue: 2025 no. 4 (32)

Department: POETICS. CONTEXT

Pages: 144-165

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22455/2619-0311-2025-4-144-165

EDN:

https://elibrary.ru/TWCMLL

UDK: 821.16.1.0

BBK: 83+83.3(2Рос=Рус)

Publication Type: Research Article

Keywords: Dostoevsky, champagne, history of everyday life in Russia.

Abstract: The article concerns the commentary on objects in Dostoevsky’s fiction. A special area of research is the so-called gastronomic language. Any gastronomic element is a cultural product. It invariably reflects national, religious, social, economic, and other features of the society of a specific historical period. Being essentially the result of personal experience, the gastronomic element generates a specific and generally understood emotional-semantic image. This object-semantic form of communication is used in works of art to characterize literary characters or the situations in which the action takes place. It is understood and felt by the reader more vividly and deeply than words alone. This article examines the role of champagne in Dostoevsky’s satirical work “A Nasty Story.” To help modern readers understand the meanings hidden in the text, the article discusses the main historical stages of the creation of champagne and its role in 19th-century culture. In terms of frequency of mentions in Dostoevsky’s texts, champagne is second only to tea. Dostoevsky’s “A Nasty Story” is a unique phenomenon in gastronomic terms. Nowhere else, in any of his other works, does champagne become such a major and significant accomplice in events. The entire social and cultural range of this wine, from the finest examples of champagne to cheap surrogates and all the meanings and images associated with them—everything is concentrated in this short story. In addition, the analysis reveals Dostoevsky’s hidden appeal to the image of Napoleon which complements the characteristics of the main character.

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