The Genre Modification of the Novel «Vichnyk» by Myroslav Dochynets
Abstract
The purpose of the article is an overview of the genre features of the novel «Vichnyk» by M. Dochynets. This is due to the fact that today most of the works are a synthetic combination of genre matrices and get the definition of the common term «novel» in tradition, being rather the examples of «novel thinking». Therefore, it is necessary to develop a matrix of analysis of art works from the standpoint of genre features and their synthetic combination, which became possible in this article due to the using of the unity of historical-literary, biographical methods, critical analysis of sources, etc.
It is proved that the novel by M. Dochynets clearly shows the signs of parable and Robinsonade. Such features of parable as the allegorical images, the philosophical and didactical character of the narrative, the presence of the hero, who is the bearer of the didactic beginning, the orientation towards spirituality, that are also inherent to the novel «Vichnyk», especially to those parts that are highlighted in the text in italics. It is noticed that moralizing maxims are immanent, natural in this novel and reveal the deep philosophical meaning of the personality’s being.
It was discovered that the genre of Robinsonade and the work by M. Dochynets are combined with a special adventure plot, the specifics first-person narrative and a deep belief in the invincibility of the spirit and the victory of the human mind. The image of the protagonist of the novel, Andrii Voron, is presented in a dynamics that changes during all trials, gets a vital wisdom and learns to exist in the bosom of nature. The nature is not only a background for the events of the novel, but also one of the main images of the text.
In addition, the core component of the work is the confessional nature of the narrative, especially since the author himself gave a subtitle to his novel «Confession on the Pass of the Spirit». However, the genre features of confession are not clearly expressed; it is rather intonation, which creates the effect of the believability of Andrii Vorona’s story, given in the writer’s book, which leads to the trust in his didactical maxims. Presence of genre signs of confession in the novel «Vichnyk», as well as ones of philosophical novel, artistic biography, book-adviser, etc. allow to enroll it both to artistic texts and to non-fiction literature.
