The Threshold Situation in Edvard Radzinsky’s Historical Parable „Lunin, or the Death of Jacques” Cover Image

Ситуация порога в исторической притче Э. Радзинского „Лунин, или Смерть Жака”
The Threshold Situation in Edvard Radzinsky’s Historical Parable „Lunin, or the Death of Jacques”

Author(s): Olga Zhurcheva
Subject(s): Russian Literature, Theory of Literature
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego
Keywords: historical parable;threshold situation;Edvard Radzinsky;Mikhail Lunin;visualization;paradox

Summary/Abstract: The article is devoted to the analysis of the historical parable Lunin, or the Death of Jacques, Recorded in the Presence of the Master by Edvard Radzinsky. Proceeding from the genre paradigm of the parable, Radzinsky builds the conflict of the play with the use of the threshold situation, with the main character awaiting execution. While expecting death, Lunin recalls his whole life, therefore the whole action of the play is concentrated in the real and in the mental time and space. Although in reality Lunin is alone in the prison cell, in his imagination he is surrounded by many people whom he has met in the course of his life. This plot paradox creates the illusion of the protagonist’s memories becoming visualised and of the public character of his death.

  • Issue Year: 2019
  • Issue No: 12
  • Page Range: 141-149
  • Page Count: 9
  • Language: Russian