Russian Literary Journals, Dostoevsky, and Tolstoy in St. Petersburg, 1877

In 1877, the atmosphere in Russia was highly contentious. Amid war with the Ottoman Empire, the nation was also grappling with intense intellectual and political conflicts. Various groups and individuals were fervently engaged in shaping the country’s future, navigating a landscape marked by strict censorship and deep ideological divides. This game, set in St. Petersburg, immerses students into the vibrant and combative world of Russian literary journals. Students assume the roles of editors, writers, and social activists navigating the complex intersection of literature and politics. The periodicals they produce are filled with subtle political commentaries regarding the monarchy, education, religion, and women in society, all designed to slip past the censors. As writers such as Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky and Count Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy compete to publish their work, they must align with intellectual factions—Populists, Slavophiles, or Westernizers—and find allies to advance their literary and political ambitions. Editors face the dual challenges of maintaining their publication goals and appeasing the censors, deciding which articles and novels make it to print.
In this game, writers present their work at Elena Shtakenshneider’s literary salon, sparking discussions on themes such as the relationship of art to society, women’s roles, access to education, the Russian Orthodox Church, and paths to political reform. In this charged environment, the success of a journal can determine its influence on Russia’s future. The editor of a thriving journal may even earn an audience with Tsar Alexander II, with the opportunity to advocate for a constitutional monarchy, endorse the existing autocratic structures, or propose sweeping political and social changes.

Linda M. Mayhew is assistant director of the Humanities Honors Program at the University of Texas at Austin.