Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin: A satirist in the public service

Abstract

The article considers the correlation between the state service and the literary creation of the outstanding Russian satirist Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin. The political position of Saltykov-Shchedrin has been quite moderate; he believed that the responsible, principled and conscientious person in the public service could benefit society. The article demonstrates that for him the state public service and satire on the Russian system of governance did not contradict each other.