Axiological approach in epic studies: value analysis of the Russian epic in the first half of the XX century

The article deals with the specifics of the epics study in the first half of the XX century. It is noted that the axiological analysis undertaken by the representatives of the historical school (M.G. Khalansky, N.P. Dashkevich, V.F. Miller, etc.) in the first quarter of the XX century allowed to find out the stratification of different-time and contradictory values reflected in the epics. The Russians epic consciousness at the time of fixing epics in the XIX century reflected a single system of values, the study of which allows us to identify the original Russian epic consciousness value concepts (heroic power as a talent; heart love is a pity as the conditions for obtaining this force; “collective” glory to the heroic kind, etc.). In 1917-1936 years Marxist sociological approach was forced upon in epic studies field demanding a “distinct class characteristics” of folk literature, and since most of the heroes are represented in the image of the ruling classes, it was concluded that the epic translates anti-national values. This questioned the relevance for Soviet science the problem value of the code of epics studying. Since 1936, after the appearance of works by P. M. Kerzhentsev on the need to “overcome the falsification of the people’s past” a request for axiological analysis and legalization of epic heroes was formed. The main value of the Russian epic, which was raised on the shield of the Soviet epics (and which still determines the reception of epic songs in Russian society), was not even the priority of public interests over personal, but - patriotism, protection of the Motherland. During this period, Soviet researchers (V.F. Miller, A.I. Nekrasov, V.N. Peretz, Yu.M. Sokolov, A.P. Skaftymov, etc.) carried out an analyses of epics, researches adhered to the corresponding party line, limited themselves by superficial listing of “truly national” ideas and aspirations (social protest, the revolt against shrines and household rules, fight against exploitation, assistance to the disadvantaged, humanism, love of truth, the conquest of the nature forces, faith in their own strength, easy work, rich life). The value analysis of the Russian epic was also carried out in the 1920s-1930s by foreign researchers (A. Mazon, R. Trautman, H. Chadwick and N. Chadwick, etc.), who sought to determine the original meaning of the epic for Russian literature. The author concludes that in the first half of the XX century neither in Soviet Russia nor in the works of epic researchers abroad, the developed and objective axiological epics analysis was presented.