Abstract: This article makes an attempt to determine semantic and value distinctions of epic poems written by L. N. Tolstoy for pedagogical project “Azbuka” (an alphabet book) from authentic epic songs of the Russian people, as well as trace the influence of Tolstoy’s interpretation upon the reception of epos in the Russian educates society of the late XIX century. Substituting the epic Niola with the titanic “working man” Mikula, Tolstoy corrects the original concept of the epic poem by counterpoising Svyatogor and Mikula Selyanovich, reflecting the social class conflict of aristocracy and the commoners. The poetic tale of Lev Tolsytoy “Volga and Mikula” presents his ideal of the peaceful worker, who does not resist the evil of the provider, and whose work and meekness hold the society together. This ideal advances the previously unfamiliar to Russian epic consciousness values: sacralization of agricultural work, avoidance of military life and governance of the state, as well as exclusive value of peasant origin. Tolstoy’s image of the “working man” was received is chrestomathies of F, Buslaev and A. Galakhov, works of V. Avenarius, M. Vrubel, K. Balmont and N. Roerich.

Abstract:  
The subject of this research is the concept of heroism (bogatyrs) as an element of Russian epic mentality. The focus of attention is the peculiarities of epic understanding of bogatyr power that excludes the interpretation by an epic bard of “his” character as a giant. Meanwhile, the popular in science representation of particular characters of the Russian Epos (Svyatogor, Mikula Selyaninovich, Ilya Muromets) as giants is caused by their idealization, convergence of an epic with a tale or myth, as well as readiness to proliferate upon epics such laws of poetics that are considered universal from the perspective of ethnographic theory and strive of the scholars of mythological school to distinguish in epic heroes the characters of the ancient religious systems. Based on the analysis of epic records, the author demonstrates that the bogatyrs are not giant, but rather look as regular people. Special attention is given to the adjustment of a receptive stereotype, associated with perception of the epic image of Svyatogor, caused by a distorted interpretation of this image by illustrators of the epics in the XIX century.