Mother Russia: The Feminine Myth in Russian Culture

by Joanna Hubbs

Overview

"Joanna Hubbs has found the trace of Baba Yaga and the rusalki and Moist Mother Earth and other fascinating feminine myths in Russian culture, and has added richly to the growing interest in popular culture." —New York Times Book Review

" . . . brave . . . fascinating . . . immensely enjoyable . . . " —Times Higher Education Supplement

" . . . a stimulating and original study . . . vivid and readable." —Russian Review

"An immensely stimulating, beautifully written work of scholarship." —Francine du Plessix Gray

"Joanna Hubbs has provided scholars . . . with a wealth of significant interpretive material to inform if not reform views of both Russian and women's cultures." —Journal of American Folklore

A ground-breaking interpretation of Russian culture from prehistory to the present, dealing with the feminine myth as a central cultural force.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780253208422
Publisher:	Indiana University Press
Publication date:	09/22/1993
Series:	Midland Book , #842
Edition description:	REPRINT
Pages:	302
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction
Russia as Mother

Part One: Mothers

Chapter One: The First Mothers
Chapter Two: Reconstructing the Russian Great Goddess: Rusalki and Baba Yaga
Chapter Three: Reconstructing the Russian Great Goddess: Mother Earth
Chapter Four: The Coming of Christianity: Mary and Paraskeva-Piatnitsa

Part Two: Mothers' Sons

Chapter Five: Epic Heroes and Disobedient Sons
Chapter Six: From Saintly Son to Autocratic Father: The Myth of the Ruler
Chapter Seven: Pushkin and Other Champions from the Intelligentsia

Conclusion: The Mother as Russia

Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index

Illustrations follow p. 123

Editorial Reviews

Examines the central role of the myth of "Mother Russia" in the history of Russian culture from prehistory to the present. Uses evidence drawn from archeology, anthropology, and ethnography. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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