Her Majesty’s Self-Censorship

This paper discusses the manifestations of self-censorship in the autobiography of the Russian Empress Catherine the Great. The article focuses on the changes made in the last edition of the text, known as Sobstvennoruchnye zapiski, compared to an earlier version dedicated to Baron Alexander Ivanovich Cherkasov. In the text under consideration, the empress avoids or moderates all uncomfortable issues, such as serfdom, negative attitudes to Moscow and the life of the Moscow nobility, and criticism of the court. Self-censorship is most consistent in the character of Empress Elizabeth. Catherine the Great abates the episodes of her predecessor’s dishonorable behaviour and softens her features. The Russian empress turns back to the ‘scenarios of power’ of the beginning of her rule, where the idea of compliance with Elizabeth’s policy played a central role. Thus, Catherine the Great tries to legitimate her own government by emphasising its strong connection to the dynasty and spiritual heritage of Peter the Great

Biography · Criticism · Ivanovich · Historical Art and Culture Studies · Islamic Studies and History · Scottish History and National Identity