The work of M. E. Saltykov (Shchedrin) occupies a special place in the history of Russian literature. His satire responded to all significant events in public life, mercilessly castigating vices and exposing the lies and moral decline of the era of the 'great reforms.' Reflections on the fate of Russia and the problem of 'fathers and sons' were also reflected in the famous novel 'The Golovlev Family' (1880), and the image of the protagonist, Judas Golovlev, is undoubtedly one of the greatest creations of Russian literature.