The role of the «Yuletide story» in genre diffusion: Poverty is Not a Vice by A. N. Ostrovsky
https://doi.org/10.25205/1818-7919-2024-23-9-102-111
Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of the study is to consider the role of the Yuletide story in the poetics of A. Ostrovsky’s play Poverty is Not a Vice, the tasks are to identify the Yuletide elements in this play, analyze inserted objects (artistic texts of poems and songs), plot, system of characters, lines, etc.
Results. Ostrovsky depicts a tragic situation (an irreconcilable enmity between an older brother and a younger brother who is an alcoholic; a father who gives his daughter to a rich old man without love) and leads it to a comedic outcome. The Christmas miracle has no logic, it happens suddenly – hence the implausibility of Gordey’s forgiveness of the ir-reconcilable «enemy for life» Lyubim. Yuletide elements create a festive atmosphere on stage and in the text of the work, during which good magic is possible.
Conclusion. Pride becomes a turning point in the development of intrigue in A. Ostrovsky’s play Poverty is Not a Vice. This play as a comedy is primarily characterized by a positive outcome of intrigue, enhanced by a Yuletide story so confident in genre diffusion. But the miracle here, in the genre-generic diffusion «drama (comedy) – Christmas story», is not the wedding of Mitya and Lyubov Gordeevna, but the reconciliation of Gordey Karpych with his brother Lyubim, the return of the plot of the prodigal son to its original biblical course. Under the influence of the Christmas story, the play, which is close to drama and even tragedy, turns into a comedy.
About the Author
E. I. Seifert
Russian State University for the Humanities; Moscow State Linguistic University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Elena I. Seifert, Doctor of Sciences (Philology)
Scopus Author ID 57211083103;
RSCI Author ID 537677
Moscow
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Review
For citations:
Seifert E.I. The role of the «Yuletide story» in genre diffusion: Poverty is Not a Vice by A. N. Ostrovsky. Vestnik NSU. Series: History and Philology. 2024;23(9):102-111. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25205/1818-7919-2024-23-9-102-111
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