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Abstract:

The article focuses on Vyacheslav Ivanov’s poetical, critical-philosophical and epistolary writings. They are viewed in the context of palimpsest — the concept that is present in the poet’s discourse (paraphrased citation from his poem appears in the title of the article). Methodological orientation of my study corresponds to its primary objective, which is interpretation of the multilevel and multilayered semantic structure of Ivanov’s text and shedding light on its Augustine layer, which is present both overtly and covertly. I approach this task referring to the principles of medieval aesthetics and philosophy (anagogical sense, ontological and axiological hierarchism, elevation of the reader’s/onlooker’s soul). My aim is to look into Augustinianism understood as “doctrine of life”, into its perception by Ivanov and representatives of European intellectual élite, and its role in preserving Christian thesaurus. I examine Ivanov’s conceptual models: his concept of will (man’s will — good and evil, and Higher will), its interrelation with the notion of happiness, and the concept of Truth and lie. I show the ways in which they are present and get “hyperbolically transformed” in Ivanov’s texts of the symbolist and post-symbolist periods. I have a closer look at the meaning of the category of transcensus and seeking one’s true self, “serving the Spirit”, echoes of conversion theology, the presence of triad figures in epistolary admonitions and others.