Introduction
This essay explores the intertextual connections between Alexander Pushkin’s classic novella “The Queen of Spades” (1834) and Ludmila Ulitskaya’s modern reinterpretation, also titled “The Queen of Spades” (1995). As seminal works within Russian literature, both texts engage with themes of obsession, fate, and the supernatural, yet they diverge in their historical contexts, narrative styles, and characterisations. This analysis aims to illuminate how Ulitskaya reimagines Pushkin’s original through a contemporary lens, highlighting shifts in cultural and psychological perspectives while maintaining thematic continuity. The discussion will focus on the shared motif of the card game as a metaphor for fate, the portrayal of obsessive characters, and the reinterpretation of supernatural elements. By examining these aspects, the essay seeks to demonstrate a sound understanding of both texts, offering a logical argument supported by textual evidence and academic sources.
The Card Game as a Symbol of Fate
In Pushkin’s “The Queen of Spades,” the card game serves as a powerful metaphor for fate and the human desire to control the uncontrollable. Hermann, the protagonist, becomes fixated on the secret of the three winning cards, a mystery tied to the Countess, whose death he inadvertently causes in his pursuit of wealth (Pushkin, 1834). This motif of gambling reflects a broader commentary on risk and destiny in 19th-century Russian society, where social mobility was often a game of chance. As critic Andrew Wachtel notes, Pushkin uses the card game to explore the tension between rationality and superstition, positioning Hermann at the crossroads of Enlightenment ideals and irrational obsession (Wachtel, 1994).
Ulitskaya, writing in the post-Soviet era, reinterprets this symbol in a more psychological and domestic context. In her version, the card game is less about literal gambling and more about the metaphorical stakes of personal relationships and emotional survival. Her protagonist, a modern woman grappling with familial and societal pressures, engages with “The Queen of Spades” as a cultural artefact that haunts her psyche, much like Hermann is haunted by the Countess’s secret (Ulitskaya, 1995). Ulitskaya thus shifts the focus from external wealth to internal conflict, arguably reflecting the disillusionment of post-communist Russia. This intertextual link demonstrates how both authors use chance as a narrative device, though Ulitskaya adapts it to address contemporary anxieties.
Obsession and Character Development
A significant point of connection between the two works lies in their depiction of obsession, though the nature and consequences of this fixation differ. Pushkin’s Hermann is driven by a cold, calculated ambition for financial gain, which ultimately leads to his descent into madness. His obsession with the Countess and the secret of the cards overrides moral considerations, culminating in a tragic loss of sanity—a common theme in Romantic literature of the era (Cornwell, 1998). Hermann’s single-mindedness, therefore, reflects not only personal greed but also the dehumanising effects of societal ambition in Imperial Russia.
In contrast, Ulitskaya’s protagonist exhibits a more nuanced, emotional obsession, rooted in identity and memory rather than material gain. Her fixation on Pushkin’s story and its themes mirrors Hermann’s obsession but manifests through introspection rather than action. Ulitskaya crafts a character whose internal struggles resonate with modern readers, addressing issues of gender and familial legacy in a patriarchal society (Goscilo, 2000). This intertextual dialogue reveals Ulitskaya’s intent to update Pushkin’s narrative, replacing external ambition with internal turmoil. Indeed, while Pushkin critiques societal structures through Hermann’s downfall, Ulitskaya uses obsession to explore personal and cultural crises, demonstrating a continuity of theme adapted to a different historical moment.
Supernatural Elements and Their Reinterpretation
The supernatural plays a pivotal role in Pushkin’s novella, most notably through the ghostly apparition of the Countess, who reveals the secret of the cards to Hermann after her death. This element, typical of Gothic literature, underscores the tension between reality and fantasy, blurring the boundaries of rationality as Hermann descends into madness (Cornwell, 1998). The supernatural in Pushkin’s work, therefore, serves as both a plot device and a commentary on the fragility of the human mind when confronted with the unknown.
Ulitskaya, however, reinterprets the supernatural in a more symbolic and psychological manner. Rather than literal ghosts, the presence of “The Queen of Spades” in her narrative manifests as a haunting cultural memory, influencing the protagonist’s perception of her own life (Goscilo, 2000). This shift reflects a broader trend in modern Russian literature, where the supernatural is often internalised as trauma or existential dread, rather than externalised as in Pushkin’s time. Furthermore, Ulitskaya’s approach aligns with post-modernist tendencies to question grand narratives, replacing Pushkin’s overt mysticism with subtle psychological echoes. This intertextual reworking suggests a dialogue between the two texts, where Ulitskaya engages with Pushkin’s themes but reimagines them for a contemporary audience grappling with disillusionment and loss of traditional certainties.
Cultural and Historical Contexts
The intertextual connection between the two works is also shaped by their respective cultural and historical contexts. Pushkin wrote during the height of the Russian Empire, a time when social hierarchy and personal ambition dominated literary themes. His portrayal of Hermann’s obsession reflects the precariousness of status in a rigidly stratified society, where gambling—both literal and metaphorical—offered a rare path to upward mobility (Wachtel, 1994). The supernatural elements, moreover, catered to the Romantic fascination with the mysterious and the irrational, prevalent in 19th-century European literature.
Ulitskaya, writing in the aftermath of the Soviet Union’s collapse, addresses a very different Russia—one marked by economic uncertainty, cultural fragmentation, and a search for identity. Her reinterpretation of “The Queen of Spades” thus engages with Pushkin’s text as a cultural artefact, using it to explore themes of memory and loss in a society grappling with its past (Goscilo, 2000). This historical shift enriches the intertextual relationship, as Ulitskaya not only pays homage to Pushkin but also critiques the relevance of his themes in a transformed cultural landscape. By doing so, she highlights the enduring power of literature to reflect societal concerns, even as those concerns evolve over time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the intertextual connection between Pushkin’s “The Queen of Spades” and Ulitskaya’s reinterpretation reveals both continuity and transformation in Russian literary traditions. Both texts explore the themes of fate, obsession, and the supernatural through the motif of the card game, yet they do so in ways that reflect their distinct historical and cultural contexts. Pushkin’s focus on external ambition and Gothic mysticism contrasts with Ulitskaya’s emphasis on internal conflict and psychological symbolism, demonstrating how intertextuality allows for the reinterpretation of classic themes in modern settings. This dialogue between the two works underscores the richness of Russian literature, illustrating its capacity to address universal human concerns while responding to specific societal shifts. Further exploration of such intertextual relationships could offer deeper insights into the evolving nature of literary expression and cultural identity in Russia, highlighting the ongoing relevance of Pushkin’s legacy in contemporary contexts.
References
- Cornwell, N. (1998) Pushkin’s “The Queen of Spades”. Bristol Classical Press.
- Goscilo, H. (2000) Dehexing Sex: Russian Womanhood During and After Glasnost. University of Michigan Press.
- Pushkin, A. (1834) The Queen of Spades. Translated by T. Keane, Project Gutenberg. Available at: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23059.
- Ulitskaya, L. (1995) The Queen of Spades. In: Sonechka and Other Stories. Translated by A. Tait, Glas Publishers.
- Wachtel, A. (1994) The Battle for Childhood: Creation of a Russian Myth. Stanford University Press.
