ONLY FOUR LETTERS: ABOUT THE CORRESPONDENCE OF L.N. TOLSTOY AND A.N. OSTROVSKY IN THE HISTORY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TWO WRITERS

The article provides an analytical understanding of Tolstoy’s letters to Ostrovsky, consideration of their content in the projection of reviews and literary disputes of the late 1850s–1860s. A scientific commentary is given on individual facts, events and opinions in Tolstoy’s letters to Ostrovsky, the problem of the ambiguous attitude of writers to each other’s work, their interaction while working in the Sovremennik magazine is touched upon. The role of Nekrasov in establishing creative ties between the writer and the playwright is noted, the individual features and characteristics that they valued and critically perceived in each other are emphasized. The author of the article cites the opinions of contemporaries who noted similarities in the work of famous contemporaries. The paper notes the possible influence of Ostrovsky on the late Tolstoy, the latter’s recognition of the nationwide significance of Ostrovsky’s talent.