Abstract：Abstract: Based on the investigation of the relationship between the orthodox spirit and the Russian literary classics, the author of this article argues that the studies of Grotesque Realism in the Russian literary classics often benefit from Bakhtin's Theory of Grotesque Realism, but ignore its specific cultural background. "Grotesque Realism" was put forward by Bakhtin in his study of Francois Rabelais' works in the middle ages and Renaissance in Europe. According to him, Grotesque Realism originates from the culture of folk humor. Since Russian literature and Rabelais' creation are set against different cultural backgrounds, we should not copy Bakhtin's study on Rabelais in the study of this literary phenomenon, but should see it in the light of Bakhtin's “Great Time”, i.e. in the context of Russian culture. In view of the Russian Orthodox culture, "Sobornost" is the fundamental source of Grotesque Realism, closely related to its artistic expression and aesthetic characteristics. The idea of " Multi-culture co-existence" is the essence of "Sobornost". This study suggests the significance of Bakhtin's theory of “Great Time” in literary research in general.
Key words: “Sobornost”; Grotesque Realism; Russian literary classics; culture of folk humor
