The Emancipation from the Past: Bakhtin’s Carnival in the Mirror of Soviet Experience

In this article an attempt is made to place Bakhtin’s case in the context of Soviet 1960s with their specific mental world. The study question why almost forgotten figure 1920s has become a proper man time transition from Stalin’s Great Fear Khrushchov’s liberalization its continuation till 1968 and how resurrection dead occured. virtues scientific significance works are doubtless undeniable. But there something else that helps explain phenomenon popularity. His readers mentality determines fate books spreading ideas. sixties witnessed unprecedented success books. They changed vocabulary humanities mode thinking generation so-called Thaw. Bakhtin became one most influential figures greatly stimulated emergence new trend known as culturology. Rabelais was special success. This text can be read on different levels interpreted many ways. Its content combines such genres literary criticism, history culture, philosophy. paid attention vision popular culture central image carnival were especially sensitive receptive for concept Laughing Renaissance spiritual twin Thaw which had Marxist roots, not Bakhtin’s. Thanks complexity text’s possible interpretation, mistakenly considered ideologist Thaw, his – intellectual product historical moment full optimism, great expectations hopes. by accordance mentality, pursuit form “Socialism human face” when left even ideas dominated non-conformist discourse. all little common authentic who could share neither philosophical worldview nor illusions 1960s. view laughter kind social therapy means emancipation society far He fully realized demonic nature saw it ambivalent ally hell hostile every ideocracy. invented prototype first misunderstood inner intentions himself. doing quite unconsciously, they gave triumphant life outstanding written person damaged past.