Article

Name: On the archetypical approach to the analysis of female images-characters (written and oral text)

Authors: Vladimir K. Vasilev

Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation

In the section Study of literature

Abstract: The paper suggests the method of analysis of images-characters which can be applied to any literary work (in Russian literature) given that it has any psychologically developed female character. The basic research technologies are the motif analysis strictly limited to structuraltypological approach; the doctrine of C. G. Jung about archetypes as the content of «unconscious collective»; the plot-motif complexes or models based on creations which have characters of «kind» and «evil wives». When analysing the archetypical images concerned, the term «motif» was added with the term «psychoanalytic motif». It does not contradict with Jung’s theory considering «psychoanalytical motif» as an «extra ancient archetypical psychological structure». For the experimental integrity, the plot-motif complexes have been reconstructed on the basis of bible- Byzantine-Old Russian sources. The study revealed that structural models have the form of binary opposition. «Kind wife» is a God-loving, faithful, angelic, merciful, generous, honest, hardworking, silent, loving, organiser (of the house, of generation) and so on. «Evil» is a heretic (a witch, sorceress), loose woman (minx), arrogant (power-loving), fierce, greedy, false, lazy, vixenish, hateful, destroyer. The plots about «kind» and «evil» wives have the same antinomic nature. The plot about «kind» wife is full of motives of happiness, joy, security and revival. The plot about the «evil» wife is full of motives of boredom, grief, despondency, a scent of trouble, misfortune. It is a plot of damnation and chaos. A direct genetic connection between literary and oral ancient texts and texts of New time was found: they all have common plot-motive complexes. In particular, we present the survey findings (summer 2017) of Angara Region (Krasnoyarsk kray) long-term residents on the theme of «kind» and «evil» wives. These findings conclusively reveal the safety of «archetypical matrix» among province residents. This analytical technology allows talking about a correct approach to literary text study or precise literary criticism. The strategy of searching for precise methods of analysis first appeared in Russian science in the works of A. N. Veselovskiy (1838–1906) in the second part of 19th century. The last try to find universals which run through the cultural texts is associated with Y. M. Lotman, the head of «Tartu-Moscow structural school».

Keywords: Russian literature, oral narrative, method, archetype, psychoanalysis, typology, female characters

Bibliography:

Barmina V. E. Fenomen zhenstvennosti v kul’ture Srednevekov’ya (na materiale artefaktov pis’mennoj kul’tury Vizantii i Drevnej Rusi VI–XVII vv.) [Phenomenon of femininity in the culture of the Middle Ages (based on the artefacts of written culture of Byzantium and Ancient Rus of 6–17th centuries)]. Abstract of cand. cult. sci. diss. Ekaterinburg, 2009, 24 p.

Chumakova T. V. «V chelovecheskom zhitel’stve mnozi obrazy zryatsya». Obraz cheloveka v kul’ture Drevney Rusi [“V chelovecheskom zhitel’stve mnozi obrazy zryatsya”. The image of a man in the culture of Ancient Rus]. St. Petersburg, 2001, 242 р.

Gasparov B. M. Iz nablyudeniy nad motivnoy strukturoy romana M. A. Bulgakova «Master i Margarita» [Observing the motive structure of M. A. Bulgakov’s novel “Master and Margarita”]. In: Gasparov B. M. Literaturnye leytmotivy. Ocherki russkoy literatury ХХ veka [Gasparov B. M. Literary keynotes. Sketches of Russian literature of 20th century]. Moscow, 1993, pp. 28–83.

Kol’tsov A. V. Sochineniya [Writings]. Moscow, 1984, 512 p.

Propp V. Ya. Morfologiya skazki [Morphology of the fairy tale]. Leningrad, Academia, 1928.

Rasputin V. G. Den’gi dlya Marii [Money for Maria]. In: Rasputin V. G. Izbr. proizvedeniya: V 2 t. T. 1: Rasskazy; Povesty [Rasputin V. G. Selected works: in 2 vols. Vol. 1: Stories; Novels]. Moscow, Khudozh. lit., 1990, pp. 161–255.

Rudnev V. P. Slovar’ kul’tury ХХ veka [The dictionary of 20th century culture]. Moscow, 1999, 384 p.

Vasil’ev V. K. K opisaniyu arhetipicheskogo syuzheta o «dobryh» i «zlyh zhenah» v romane L. N. Tolstogo «Voyna i mir» [Essay about archetypical plots of “kind” and “evil wives” in the novel of L. N. Tolstoy “War and Peace”]. In: Lev Tolstoy i vremya: Sb. st. [L. Tolstoy and time: coll. of art.]. Tomsk, 2010, pр. 25–34.

Vasil’ev V. K. Rasskaz V. M. Shukshina «Stradaniya molodogo Vaganova» v arhetipicheskom kontekste [Shukshin’s story “Sufferings of young Vaganov” in archetypical context]. In: Dialogi o Shukshine. Materialy pervoy mezhdunar. nauch.-issled. konf. [Dialogues about Shukshin. Materials of the first intern. sci.-research conf.]. Moscow, 2017, pр.78–96.

Vasil’ev V. K. Syuzhetnaya tipologiya russkoy literatury ХI–ХХ vekov. Arhetipy russkoyy kul’tury. Ot Srednevekov’ya k Novomu vremeni [Narrative typology of Russian literature of 11–20th centuries. Archetypes of Russian culture. From Middle Ages to New Ages]. Krasnoyarsk, 2009, 260 p.

Yung C. G. Dusha i mif: shest’ arhetipov [Soul and myth: six archetypes]. Kiev, Moscow, 1996, 384 р.