Mumu

Historical Context and Significance

The novella "Mumu" by Ivan Turgenev, written in 1852, is an important work of Russian literature that addresses themes of social injustice and the cruelty of serfdom. The main character, the deaf-mute serf Gerasim, symbolizes the suffering and powerlessness of the peasantry in 19th-century Russia. His attachment to the dog Mumu and the tragic ending highlight the brutality and inhumanity of the serfdom system. The novella sparked widespread public resonance and contributed to the development of critical realism in Russian literature. It also influenced subsequent generations of writers and readers, raising questions of morality, humanism, and social justice.