THE BINARY OPPOSITION TRANSPARENCY – DENSITY IN THE PYRAMID, THE NOVEL BY L. LEONOV

Abstract

Purpose. The article is devoted to the analysis of the binary opposition transparency – density, which could be useful to clarify the content of the category of holiness in The Pyramid, the novel by L. Leonov. Methodology. Basic methods of structural-typological and motif analysis make possible to evaluate the semantic valence of motifs in the research. Results. In The Pyramid the motif of transparency is associated with the god-seeking nature of the character, whereas the opposite motif of density indicates the sinful life of the character. Angel Dymkov illustrates transition between the two poles of the opposition, ensuring the plot intrigue development. The motifs of transparency and density interact with other biblical motifs, such as the miracle and the gift. The transparency of the world allows transcendental characters to create miracles and foresee the future, whereas profane characters consider everything as having an exclusively pragmatic value. While the characters move from transparency to density inside the opposition, they lose their supernatural abilities and approach the type of profane characters. Conclusion. The functioning features of binary opposition transparency – density in the neo-realistic novel illustrate the eclectic combination of the theological, classical and anti-utopian traditions in its objectification, which determines the modern, redefined interpretation of the category of holiness in the warning-novel.

Keywords

• мотив
• прозрачность
• бинарная оппозиция
• проникновенность
• святость