Textbook by Yu.M. Lotman reveals to the reader another facet of this great scientist, researcher of literature, culture, semiotics - his talent as a teacher. Being primarily a historian of literature, Yu.M. Lotman builds his book not as a review of mechanically connected works of art, but considers Russian literature in a single historical perspective. All periods, writers and texts are described by the author in terms of their relationship with the cultural context and worldview of his modern era. The word teacher will discover new methods of teaching literature and analyzing works, will find wide opportunities for using rich extracurricular material in the classroom. Designed primarily for schoolchildren, the textbook is written in a lively, bright and simple language. Many interesting facts from the history of Russian culture make reading extremely exciting. The versatility of the book allows us to recommend it to a wide range of readers: students, students, teachers, everyone interested in Russian culture and the heritage of Yu.M. Lotman