Akhmatova's Orphans

Close readings of the writings by various poets belonging to Akhmatova's circle of the 1960s and beyond. We analyze the unique creative phenomenon known as "Akhmatova's Orphans" in the broader context of the Russian and Soviet culture of the second half of the 20th century. Special emphasis is placed on the study of the newly acquired archive of Anatoly Naiman (Special Collections, Princeton). The Naiman Papers offer a plethora of evidence regarding the development of one of the most significant literary circles in modern Russian history. Students learn to handle rare manuscripts and work with the archival resources.