Article

Name: The socio-cultural space of Berlin in V. Nabokov’s novel “The Gift”

Authors: T. G. Mastepak

Tomsk State Pedagogical University, Tomsk, Russian Federation

In the section Study of literature

Abstract: The paper analyzes techniques of contrasting the loci of “German” and “emigrant” Berlin (opposition “center–periphery”), ways of representing the images of native Germans and Russians, variants how immigrants “domesticate” socio-cultural space being alien to them (nominating loci “in Russian way”; consciousness transformation of foreign space into own one due to its cultural and linguistic content, etc.). Fedor sees the images of Germans as depersonalized but emigrants as individualized. Native Berliners are perceived as a less cultured nation, yet seamlessly integrated into the sociocultural landscape of their native city. Exiles from Russia occupy a “marginal” place in the geography of the city and the social hierarchy of the European capital while standing out in contrast in the space of Berlin (appearance, speech). Overcoming social minority is refusing integration and trying to preserve cultural identity (language, literature, art, social connections, and authority among Russian writers and scientists) in a foreign country. The “alien” socio-cultural space of Berlin has twofold semantics: first – mortality and non-genuineness and second – a creative cradle. It encourages Fedor to rethink his memories of childhood, family, and father and sets the vector for personal and creative development. Berlin embodies a “foreign,” “hostile,” “uncomfortable” space but helps to strengthen the values laid down in childhood and survive in exile, which is existentially meaningful. External restrictions contribute to the birth of internal freedom, allowing the hero to rise above social smallness, preserve his own dignity, determine the choice of authorities, and Express his own views in love and creativity.

Keywords: Nabokov, socio-cultural space, Berlin, emigration, home / homelessness

Bibliography:

Andreeva A. Semantika prostranstvennykh obrazov v drame V. Nabokova “Chelovek iz SSSR” [Semantics of spatial images in V. Nabokov’s drama “The man from the USSR”]. In: Russkaya literatura v 20 veke: imena, problemy, kul’turnyy dialog. Vyp. 10: Poetika dramy v literature 20 veka [Russian literature in the 20th century: Names, problems, cultural dialogue. Iss. 10: Poetics of drama in the literature of the 20th century]. Tomsk, TSU Publ., 2009, pp. 68–83.

Apresyan Yu. D. Roman “Dar” v kosmose Vladimira Nabokova. St. 2 [The novel “Gift” in outer space by Vladimir Nabokov. Art. 2]. The Bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences: Studies in Literature and Language. 1995, no. 4, pp. 6–23.

Bergmann J., Hanike R., Eckolt M., Schönberger B., Kömler A., Mönch R., Salm K., Steinberg R., Zehl S. Berlin i Potsdam. Putevoditel’ [Berlin and Potsdam. A guidebook]. St. Petersburg, Diskus Media, 2010, 96 p.

Boyd B. V. Nabokov: Russkie gody: Biografiya: Per. s angl. [Nabokov: Russian years: Biography: Transl. from English]. Moscow, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, St. Petersburg, Symposium, 2001, 695 p.

Fasmer M. Etimologicheskiy slovar’ russkogo yazyka: V 4 t. [Etymological dictionary of the Russian language: In 4 vols]. B. A. Larin (Ed.). 2nd ed. Moscow, Progress, 1987, vol. 3.

Lapteva M. P. Fenomen neponimaniya: Germaniya v zhizni V. V. Nabokova [The phenomenon of misunderstanding: Germany in the life of V. V. Nabokov]. Perm university herald. History. 2002, iss. 3, pp. 61–69.

Lotman Yu. M. Khudozhestvennoe prostranstvo v proze Gogolya [Art space in Gogol’s prose]. In: Lotman Yu. M. V shkole poeticheskogo slova: Pushkin. Lermontov. Gogol’: Kn. dlya uchitelya [In the school of poetic words: Pushkin. Lermontov. Gogol: A teacher’s guide]. Moscow, Prosveshhenie, 1988, pp. 252–253.

Mikheivicheva E. A., Lavrushina A. V. Khronotop “Berlin – Rossiya” v tsikle rasskazov V. V. Nabokova “Vozvrashchenie Chorba” [Сhronotope “Berlin-Russia” in the cycle of stories by V. V. Nabokov “Return of Chorba”]. Scientific notes of Orel state university. 2013, no. 2 (52), pp. 205–210.

Poleva E. A. Motiv ischeznoveniya v romanakh V. Nabokova kontsa 1920–1930-kh godov [Motif of disappearance in V. Nabokov’s novels of the late 1920–1930]. Abstract of Cand. philol. sci. diss. Tomsk, TSU, 2008, 227 p.

Poleva E. A. Kontsept “smert’” v romane V. Nabokova “Dar” [The concept of “death” in V. Nabokov’s novel “The Gift”]. In: Semantika i pragmatika slova v khudozhestvennom i publitsisticheskom diskursakh: Materialy 9 Vseros. nauch.-prakt. seminara [Semantics and pragmatics of the word in artistic and journalistic discourses: Proceedings of the 9th all-Russian sci. and pract. seminar]. Tomsk, TSU Publ., 2008, pp. 72–79.

Poleva E. A. Kontseptsiya istorii v romane V. Nabokova “Dar” [The concept of history in V. Nabokov’s novel “The Gift”]. In: Russkaya literatura v 20 veke: imena, problemy, kul’turnyy dialog. Vyp. 7: Versii istorii v russkoy literature 20 veka [Russian literature in the 20th century: names, problems, cultural dialogue. Iss. 7: Versions of history in Russian literature of the 20th century]. Тomsk, TSU Publ., 2005. pp. 57–74.

Semenova S. G. Russkaya poeziya i proza 1920 – 1930-kh godov. Poetika – Videnie mira – Filosofiya [Russian poetry and prose of the 1920s – 1930s. Poetics –Vision of the world –Philosophy]. Moscow, IWL RAS, Nasledie, 2001, 583 p.

Shutova E. V. Bytie arkhetipov “Dom” i “Bezdom’e” v russkoy literature [The existence of the archetypes “Home” and “Homeless” in Russian literature]. Vestnik KGSU, 2010, no. 3 (19), pp. 77–81.

Sorokin P. A. Chelovek. Tsivilizatsiya. Obshchestvo [Man. Civilization. Society]. Moscow, Politizdat, 1992, 542 p.

Stepanova N. S. V poiskakh klyuchey ot tayny bytiya: motiv klyucha v romane V. V. Nabokova “Dar” [In search of keys to the mystery of being: the key motif in Nabokov’s novel “The Gift”]. Proceedings of South-West State University. Series Linguistics and Pedagogy. 2015, no. 1(14), pp. 58–64.

Tomas U. Nabokov v Berline [Nabokov in Berlin]. Moscow, Agraf, 2004, 256 p.

Ushakov D. N. Tolkovyy slovar’: V 4 t. [Explanatory dictionary: In 4 vols]. Moscow, 6-ya tipografiya tresta Poligraf-kniga, 1947, vol. 4, 1502 p.

Uzbekova G. F. “Chuzhoe slovo” i simvolika klyuchey v russkoyazychnykh romanakh V. V. Nabokova [“Alien word” and the symbolism of keys in Russian-language novels by V. V. Nabokov]. Vestnik VSU. Series: Philology. Journalism. 2016, no. 3, pp. 91–93.

Vertinskaya O. M. “Svoy” i “chuzhoy” dom v proizvedeniyakh V. Nabokova “Own” and “alien” house in the works of V. Nabokov]. IKBFU’s Vestnik. Philology, pedagogy, and psychology. 2006, no. 8, pp. 29–34.

Yanovskiy A. O romane Nabokova “Mashen’ka” [About Nabokov’s novel “Mashen’ka”]. In: V. V. Nabokov: Pro et contra. Antologiya [V. V. Nabokov: Pro et contra. Anthology]. St. Petersburg, RCHA, 1997, vol. 1, pp. 842–850.

Zakurenko L. Yu. Klyuch k romanu i klyuchi v romane V. V. Nabokova “Dar” [The key to the novel and the keys in V. V. Nabokov’s novel “The Gift”]. Russkaya slovesnost’. 2004, no. 2, pp. 11–19.