Boris Eichenbaum: Advocate of Rootless Cosmopolitanism

Boris Eichenbaum (1886-1959) was a prominent Russian theorist associated with Russian Formalism. Born in Voronezh, Russia, he initially studied biology, violin, and piano before opting for philology in 1909. Philology deals with the structure and history of languages. Involvement with Rootless Cosmopolitanism Eichenbaum was involved with the social movement known as "rootless cosmopolitanism," a term coined by Vissarion Belinsky. Rootless cosmopolitanism referred pejoratively to Jewish intellectuals and dissenters and their perceived lack of total allegiance to the Russian state. Representation of Artistic Freedom and Dissent Rootless cosmopolitanism symbolized the artistic struggle for freedom of expression and dissent. It signifies the flight of freedom against traditional boundaries of family, society, religion, and nation. This rootlessness represents a liberal mindset and challenges fixed notions of nationalism, advocating for a global outlook. Intellectual Pursuit of Freedo…