Тема охоты в публицистических выступлениях Виктора Астафьева
The Theme of Hunting in Opinion Journalism of Viktor Astafyev

Author(s): Iwona Zdanowicz
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Keywords: Viktor Astafyev; journalistic writing; hunting; animal; animal protection;nature;
Summary/Abstract: Cruelty towards animals is most openly discussed in opinion journalism which often condemns hunting and calls for respect for non‑human beings. This article examines the theme of hunting in opinion journalism of a Russian writer Viktor Astafyev. In his essays Astafyev emphasizes a fundamental difference between hunting as a necessity (for taiga residents hunting is a means of survival), and poaching. It is also worth noting that for Astafyev hunting is something that gives a sense of unity of man and nature. In the essay Осенью на вырубке (In the autumn on the logging, 1974) the protagonist and his friend embark on a hunt but soon he finds that trophies are of no value to him and do not provide satisfaction. The greatest pleasure is in the opportunity to commune with nature. In the essay Разговор со старым ружьeм ( Conversation with an old shotgun, 1997) Astafyev already at the outset describes hunting as “wandering with a shotgun” („таскаться с ружьeм”), which clearly defines his attitude to hunting. The writer introduces in the text many humorous parables that intensify ridiculousness of situations that the protagonist finds himself in. The purpose: the funnier and more absurdly the „hunter” looks, the nobler and wiser the nature is in the eyes of the reader.

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