MOTIVES OF WATER AND FIRE IN THE EPIC NOVEL BY L. TOLSTOY “WAR AND PEACE”

Abstract

Aim is to investigate the motives of water and fire, which are a representation of the universal concepts "Water" and "Fire" in the ideological and aesthetic system of "War and Peace." This leads to the formulation of the following tasks: consideration of essential aspects of L. Tolstoy's worldview, problem-thematic analysis of the work, its symbolic structure, features of the artistic space, consideration of methods of psychological research, folklore and mythological influences. The observations allow us to demonstrate the features of the artistic implementation of the above concepts. Methodology. The article's methodological basis presupposes reliance on such basic literary approaches as interpretive, cultural-historical, systemic and holistic analysis, mythopoetic. Results. The considered motives of water and fire in the epic novel carry world-organizing, plot-form- ing, socio-ethical, psychological, folklore-mythological functions, are associated with eschatologism, sacrifice, spiritual liberation and are the embodiment at the ideological and aesthetic level of the basic concepts "Water" and "Fire". These mental units are included in the concept sphere of the great novel, and together with others reflect the originality of the author's thinking, the artist's life philosophy, his axiology, epistemology, ontology, the worldview of a certain era, the national picture of the world, carry folklore and mythological information. Research implications. The observations can be used in the study of the model of the artistic world of the epic novel, the originality of the national consciousness, the historical, philosophical and ethical views of L. Tolstoy of 1860s, as well as in the scientific commenting on "War and Peace", in the development of special courses on the work of L. Tolstoy.

Keywords

• epic novel "War and Peace
• " motives of water and fire
• ambivalence
• life
• death
• history