The specificity of the image of the old-Russian concept of virtue in the early literary works of F. M. Dostoevsky (on the example of the story “Polzunkov”)

The article analyzes the features of the depiction of the Christian concept of virtue in the literary work of the early period of F. M. Dostoevsky's creativity the story "Polzunkov". The author explores the peculiarities of the formation of the virtuous image of the protagonist, formed as a result of the moral and creative searches of the writer. The patristic concept of a virtuous positive person is also studied by the author on the example of other works of the early period of F. M. Dostoevsky's creativity (the novel "Poor Folk", the story "Weak Heart") in their similarities and diff erences with the story "Polzunkov", the infl uence of the concept on the creation of works of later periods is also considered. In addition, the author examines the process of forming an example of virtuous behaviour, which began in the early literary works of the writer and continued in the works of a later period, created both in his native land and abroad.