FOLKLORE STEREOTYPES AS A STYLISTIC FEATURE OF ALEXANDER OSTROVSKY’S PLAYS: SPEECH OF MATCHMAKER WOMEN

Abstract

The problem of speech stereotypes of the Russian wedding ceremony in the texts of works of fiction is discussed in the paper. What is subjected to specific analysis are the plays by Alexander Ostrovsky with the theme of matchmaking, where samples of oral folklore and wedding rituals are widely represented in the speech of the matchmakers. The samples of their poetry, replete with folkish and ritual wedding elements, are presented in the article with their analysis given from the side of content and form as well as comparison with their authentic folkish oral prototypes, including ones fixed on Kostroma soil as well, is made. The study is based on the works of well-known Russian folklorists who devoted their work to studying local traditions of the Russian wedding speech genres and folklore patterns accompanying them. Historical and cultural links of Alexander Ostrovsky’s dramaturgical creative work with live folklore and ritual folk traditions are established. In this respect, the high appreciation of the archival folklore and ritual collections of Kostroma, including the one in the walls of Kostroma State University, is revealed by the experts. In conclusion, it is pointed out that folklore speech elements in Alexander Ostrovsky’s drama are of substantial and stylistic importance, and these includes elements of Russian wedding ceremonies and many typified poetic examples of oral folklore conveyed through the speech of matchmakers.