Every work of literature originates in a specific time with historically specific readers and goals in mind. Works that retain their importance beyond the period in which they were written may look different to later readers, but precisely for this reason, as much as it is possible it is useful to revisit the original situation of such a work. This course will study the origins of important works of Russian literature in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries (whether we still read them for pleasure or not). We will look at issues of genre, readership, politics, ideology, historical figures, and events. In addition to Slavists, the course will be of interest to historians and social scientists. Readings will be in Russian.