Article

Name: The theme of “the life and death of a man” in the stories about the childhood of I. S. Shmelev 1909–1911

Authors: Elena Yu. Shestakova

The Branch of the Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M. V. Lomonosov in Severodvinsk, Severodvinsk, Russian Federation

In the section Study of literature

Abstract:

This paper deals with the artistic solution of the theme of “the life and death of a man” in the stories about the childhood of the Russian writer, Ivan Sergeevich Shmelev. The analysis covers the works created in 1909–1911 that have not been investigated so far, indicating the novelty of the study. Archival materials and little-known texts of Shmelev are introduced into scientific circulation. The stories “Shelf,” “On the Seashore,” “Gingerbread (the doctor’s story),” and “Stars” ontologically address the issues of the purpose and meaning of human life and death. The theme of human existence is disclosed in the works concerned, accompanied by the natural background entering into an inseparable relationship with the characters. The spiritual antithesis principle – the semantic dominant of the stories – highlights the outcome of earthly and postmortem human existence. The antinomy of ideal and reality is interpreted as heroes’ aspiration for the “world of God.” Human powers and opportunities addressed to the harmonization of reality, overcoming the tragedy of earthly life, relief of suffering, confrontation of disease and death are comprehended by the sacred gifts of God. The image of books and reading, allowing one to acquire the basic constant definitions of being, takes a special place in the texts considered. Artistic creativity becomes a part of the general ontological problematics, close to the phenomena determining the integrity and uniqueness of each human destiny – life and death. The originality of the verbal and linguistic structure of the stories reveals the brightness and originality of Shmelev’s talent.

Keywords: I. S. Shmelev, the theme of “life and death of a person”, stories about children, the image of a child, creativity

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