Allusive and Ekphrastic Novel by L. M. Leonov “Russian Forest” Cover Image

Аллюзивно-экфрастический роман Л. М. Леонова «Русский лес»
Allusive and Ekphrastic Novel by L. M. Leonov “Russian Forest”

Author(s): Aleksandr Dyrdin, Julia V. Zhukova
Subject(s): Russian Literature, Post-War period (1950 - 1989), Theory of Literature
Published by: Петрозаводский государственный университет
Keywords: Leonid Leonov; “Russian Forest”; ekphrasis; allusive word; intertextuality; mythological image; character; painting; music; philosophy;

Summary/Abstract: The given article deals with an important feature of the poetic pattern of Leonov’s literary texts: intertextual intensity, the use of allusive words in the narration. There is an intensive use of the “alien word” in the novel “Russian Forest” (“Russkiy les”). The source of allusions in the novel is quite extensive: the Bible, ancient mythology, history, fairy tales, works of world fiction, etc. While referring to Leonov’s novel “Russian Forest”, it is next to impossible to notice a variety of external and hidden, deep literary reminiscences, allusive and ekphrastic elements bringing the image of Leonov to a certain tradition. The names of famous philosophers and eminent figures of different epochs, associations with the images of Russian writers, references to archipopular and little-known literary works, poetic quotations saturating Leonov’s text reveal spiritual aspirations and strengthen the life philosophy of the characters of the “Russian Forest” and form Leonov’s thoughts into a single and indivisible physical and the spiritual world.

  • Issue Year: 16/2018
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 174-199
  • Page Count: 26
  • Language: Russian