Article

Name: Russian Version of the «Great Sinner» Myth: Problems of Fictional Adaptation

Authors: Klimova M. N.

In the section Literary Plot and Historical Commentary

Abstract: This article is devoted to Russian version of a common archaic mythological model «repentance and salvation of a great sinner». This historical cultural phenomenon is international by its origin and ideological orientation. It’s become one of fundamental myths of Russian consciousness. In the article are analyzed main peculiarities of Russian version of the «great sinner» myth with specific emphasis on its fictional adaptation by classical writers. Which includes problem of fictional personification of perfect character, conflict between the Court of God and human judgment, dilemma between asceticism and altruism, temptation of endless repentance and getting forgiveness without any penitence. Main trends of its process is shown with the works of N. V. Gogol’, F. M. Dostoevsky, N. S. Leskov, L. N. Tolstoy, M. Gorky, V. M. Shukshin and others.

Keywords: christianity and literature, russian literature, international plots, scheme of a plot, national plots, hagiographic traditions.

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