The book reflects the main theoretical and historical-literary ideas recently discussed in domestic and foreign literary criticism: about the place of the "Silver Age" in the history of Russian literature and art, about the emergence and development of artistic movements of that time, the search by Russian writers for new aesthetic possibilities of literature, etc. The textbook revised the periodization of the literary process of the era, clarified the assessments of literary movements, the place and significance of the work of individual writers; the development of literature is considered in the context of the artistic life of the era. The book is intended for students and graduate students of humanitarian universities, secondary school teachers, lovers of Russian literature.