This work tests the notion that artists have a special understanding of creativity, one that allows them to manipulate their psyche to productive ends. Brett Cooke identifies the theme of creativity in the world of Alexander Pushkin, Russia's national poet, and then demonstrates that Pushkin's insights clearly anticipate modern studies of creativity. Pushkin's grasp of the psychology of creativity may be gleaned from eyewitness accounts and from essays, letters, conversations and his artistic writings - particularly "The Poet", "Autumn", "Conversation of a Bookseller with a Poet", "Verses Composed at Night During Insomnia" and "The Egyptian Nights". Maintaining that Pushkin developed his greatest insights while writing poetry - indeed, that he had to be inspired to gain insight into the subject of inspiration - he argues that evidence exists to suggest that Pushkin did not even understand what he was writing unless he was engaged in the act of writing.
As Pushkin became increasingly interested in his own struggle with his muse, Cooke says, creativity became more and more a token of valuation for his characters, which makes his failure to complete "The Egyptian Nights" all the more poignant.