Elka Traykova
Papers of BAS. Humanities and Social Sciences
Vol. 13, 2026, No. 1
Geo Milev’s polemical style – a mode of use
Elka Traykova
Abstract. This article presents a portrait of Geo Milev that differs from the canonical creative one – namely, a portrait of the polemicist actively participating in and provoking a series of literary scandals in the 1920s. The analysis of the texts not only highlights colourful details from the sociocultural context but also makes it possible to outline the aesthetic and subjective motivations for Geo Milev’s involvement in numerous polemics. These polemics generate a wide public resonance through their synthesis of effective style, figurative language and intellectual arguments, thus meeting the expectations of a broad reading audience. In the individual micro-plots that constitute each of his articles, Geo Milev gives free rein to his imagination, creating a colourful mosaic of metaphors, similes and associations, weaving intertextual connections, juxtaposing literary and political figures, and evaluating authors, books and cultural events in an ironic or condescending manner.
Keywords: literary polemics, artistic style, sociocultural context, aesthetic positions