Mythopoetic worldview of the Soviet intelligentsia in the novels of V. P. Aksyonov in the 1970s (based on the novels "Burn" and "The Island of Crimea")

• Published in: Филология: научные исследования no. 6; pp. 11 - 26
• Main Author: Ul'yanova, Anna Vladimirovna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.06.2025
• ISSN: 2454-0749; 2454-0749
• DOI: 10.7256/2454-0749.2025.6.74799

This article is devoted to the analysis of the novels "Burn" and "The Crimean Island" by Vasily Aksyonov — the most prominent writer of the second half of the 20th century. The author aims to identify the characteristics of the portrayal of the Soviet intelligentsia and to determine the main traits exhibited by the intelligentsia character in Aksyonov's novels. The research objectives include analyzing the images of the main characters in the works "Burn" and "The Crimean Island," highlighting the motives behind their behavior and choices, as well as their interactions with others; based on the findings, drawing a conclusion about how the theme of the Soviet intelligentsia in the 1970s is revealed in the novels. The relevance of the topic is due to the insufficient study of the writer's work, while Vasily Aksyonov was a key figure in the literary world of the 1960s and 1970s, being at the forefront of the Russian postmodern novel and the development of the alternative history genre. The author examines the content of the novels in close connection with Aksyonov's biography and the peculiarities of Soviet reality in the 1970s. To achieve the stated goal, the author employs biographical, comparative, and cultural-historical methods. As a result, it is proven that the intelligentsia characters in Vasily Aksyonov's novels are passionate individuals inclined to deep analysis of the surrounding reality, capable of creating, and they are peace-loving and compassionate; each of them is endowed with the mission of a creator, united by the choice of serving a higher ideal instead of personal happiness. Aksyonov's intelligentsia heroes are similar in that after undergoing initiation, experiencing betrayal in love and friendship, and ultimately arriving at the "Word of God," their attempts to bring positive change to Soviet reality and find a place for themselves end in tragedy. The practical significance of the research lies in the potential use of the examined material in teaching philology students in the courses "Analysis of Fictional Texts," "Literary Studies," "History of 20th Century Russian Literature," and the special course "Russian Postmodern Literature."