Abstract
M.A.
The aim of this study is to determine the utilisation and
effect of literature as instrument of patriotism in order
to get the active support of the Soviet population for the
war effort of the Soviet Union between 1941 and 1946. In
the Soviet Union literature was well able to fulfil this
role due to the fact that the Soviet leadership identified
the propaganda value of literature, with the result that
literature became the official expression of the government's
policy. By making use of the different literary genres
the inherent patriotism could be awakened and inspired.
Literature was therefore mainly responsible for the change
in the attitude of the Soviet population from indifference
and uninterestedness to one of active support. It is,
however, not possible to award to literature solely the
responsibility for this change of attitude because other
instruments were also used between 1941 and 1946. There
is enough evidence that the reaction of the population
was to a great extent influenced and determined by literature.
Through literature the Soviet population wanted to act as
the heroes of the literary works and save their Russian
fatherland from the German onslaught.