Олена Пчілка в літературному каноні: історико-літературні тенденції I–II третин XX століття

The article presents a chronological historical and literary reconstruction of assessments of Olena Pchilka’s work and its positioning in the literary process of the second half of the 19th century. The article takes into account mainly the history of Ukrainian literature and literary criticism, representing both Soviet scholarship and diaspora literary studies. The History of Ukrainian Literature in Eight Volumes (Kyiv, 1967–1971) was chosen as the ultimate work to highlight the manipulative techniques that were prevalent during the period of Soviet totalitarianism. The comparison was made possible by the fact that in 2020–2021 a 12 volume History of Ukrainian Literature was published. The main method used was analytical criticism. The expediency of such an analysis is seen in the fact that the scientific community and society as a whole will have an accurate understanding of the characteristics and formation process of the views on Olena Pchilka (Olha Drahomanova-Kosach), and what discrepancies in interpretations need to be discussed and rethought. The theoretical basis is the work of M. Golka, J. Rüsen, and J. Topolskyi, with a notable contribution by T. Danyliuk-Tereshchuk, V. Kolkutina, V. Prokip, and O. Yablonska. As a result of the reconstruction, several time periods have been distinguished: O. Ogonovskyi’s history of literature (1893), 1891–1901, 1909 (represented by B. Hrinchenko’s evaluative judgements), 1910–1929, 1940–1960. The idea of Olena Pchilka's role in literary criticism has evolved: from Natalia Kobrynska’s assistant to an honoured writer, but such assessments were not based on a thorough analysis of her work. The most appreciative researcher of Olena Pchilka’s work was P. Odarchenko. In his works, we find attention to the wide genre palette of the writer's work, as well as an outline of evolutionary changes. It is noteworthy that P. Odarchenko represents diaspora literary studies. Soviet scholarship has consistently downplayed the role of Olena Pchilka, giving her the status of «another writer».