On further reflection, I don’t think disliking any particular highbrow cultural symbol necessarily conveys low status. People in the know are only supposed to like the works of either Tolstoy or Dostoevskiy, but not both. Having an opinion either way is fine. Not being able to offer an opinion—now that’s low status.
I don’t have an opinion poll to point you toward; however, if you ask someone who teaches Russian literature whether there is a split between “Tolstoy people” and “Dostoeyevskiy people,” I expect them to confirm that this is a widespread belief.
On further reflection, I don’t think disliking any particular highbrow cultural symbol necessarily conveys low status. People in the know are only supposed to like the works of either Tolstoy or Dostoevskiy, but not both. Having an opinion either way is fine. Not being able to offer an opinion—now that’s low status.
I haven’t heard that before. Can you give some evidence of that?
I don’t have an opinion poll to point you toward; however, if you ask someone who teaches Russian literature whether there is a split between “Tolstoy people” and “Dostoeyevskiy people,” I expect them to confirm that this is a widespread belief.