Why so many princesses?

[nikishka]

I'm a casual reader of classic Russian literature. I love Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, and I'm reading War and Peace right now.  But there is something I have been wondering: why are there so many princes and princesses? It sometimes seems everyone is a prince or princess. The titles do not seem to have the importance or impact that I would imagine in the traditional sense, i.e. the sons or daughters of the King and Queen (I realize that Emperors and Empresses ruled at this time, however), of which there would be a very limited number! What political stucture existed in the 1700's/1800's that creates so many princes and princesses?

[Pavo]

I think some of the problem is that we relate the term to the way it was used in say England or France, where "prince" or "princess" meant offspring of the King and Queen.  

Russian nobility fell into one of only two groups.  You did not have the complicated heirarchy of the nobility with Dukes, Princes, Earls, Marqueses, etc., etc.  "Prince" is a translation of the Russian "knyaz."  The term was not used to refer to the son or daughter of the King and Queen, which would in Russian have been Tsarevich or Tsarevna.  Knyaz was the highest level of the nobility, after the ruling family of the Tsar.  They occupied the position of dukes, marqueses and princes in other European countries, so perhaps this explains why they were so numerous.  Also, Russia is a big country, bigger than most, and the nobility was used to control the numerous serfs from medieval times.  So, maybe this accounts for all the princesses.  But they were not necessarily all rich, Prince Myshkin in the Idiot is a pauper until he gains an inheritance.  Maybe another reason why they might appear in 19th century fiction so often is that writing about the troubles of princes and princesses were more interesting literarily than those of serfs.

The lesser group of nobles were the boyars, also called graf, after the German.  This term is translated "count" or "countess."

[nikishka]

Thank you so much for your reply, Pavo. I had noticed that many of the titiled characters were not rich, hanging about the edges of high society by their titles alone. And of course the lives of those in Moskow or Petersburg society is a more glamorous subject than the lives of the poor, as you pointed out. I find the depiction of the lower classes in many novels interesting, however, as they seem to have more depth of intellect and emotion, and a more questioning nature, than many of the upper classes!
BTW- one of my favorite novels EVER is Crime and Punishment. I have read more Tolstoy than Dostoevsky, but I would love to read more Dos. Which selection of his would you recommend I read next?

[Pavo]

I am in about the same position as you in terms of my experience with Dostoevsky and Tolstoy.  

I have only finsihed Crime and Punishment and the Brothers Karamazov, and am in the process of reading the Idiot, which I find enjoyable.  Some have recommended working your way up to the Brothers Karamazov through Dostoevsky's other works.  But it was the first one I read.  Many here on the forum recommend also Notes from the Underground, Demons and the Adolescent.

Whichever you choose to read, I would definitely recommend the new translations by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky.  They seem to bring the works into sharper focus.  Their translations are available on this website.

[Dostoevsky]

Whichever you choose to read, I would definitely recommend the new translations by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky.  They seem to bring the works into sharper focus.  Their translations are available on this website.

Do you have the Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky translation for Crime and Punishment?

Sorry it's a bit off topic.

[Pavo]

Yes, I have that translation of Crime and Punishment.  

I bought it last year, and it is now packed in a box.  I moved to a Victorian home last Spring, and I have not yet had my book shelves built.  

[Dostoevsky]

I can't find their translation.

Can you tell me details of the book?

I want to buy it, but don't see it on Amazon.co.uk (I'm in England.)

[Pavo]

ISBN: 0679734503 Looks like it was out of print, maybe in print again.

[Pavo]

amazon.co.uk has copies.


Although I haven't yet read the Pevear translation of C&P, I did start the Idiot with the Garner translation, stopped in the middle, and began again with the Pevear/Volokhonsky translation.  The language of the newer translation really comes alive, in much sharper focus.

[Dostoevsky]

Thanks