У пошуках гармонії: Vals mèlancolque в контексті малої прози О. Кобилянської кінця ХІХ ст.

Abstract

This paper analizes O. Kobylanska’s story “Vals mèlancolque” as the epicenter of the writers’ refl ections on the category of harmony and happiness. The relationship of O. Kobylanska’s spiritual quest in «Diary» and short prose of the late nineteenth century is observed (“Nature”, “Rose”, “Ignorant”, “Vals mèlancolque”, “Humility”, etc.). The author’s vision of the substantial role of art and words in the story “Vals mèlancolque” is highligted. This paper also investigates the symbolist nature of a text. The writer emphasizes the understanding of the actual idea of women’s emancipation. The paper shows that female characters embody the author’s conscious distinction of such categories as “love” (Martha), “cold art” (Anna) and a harmonious combination of “pieces” and “love” (Sofi a). It is concluded that in the work of Kobylanska the text is a landmark, being both a kind of life and artistic credo.