Mkrtich Sargsyan’s Fairytale-Novel “Brave Nazar”

Abstract

The re-evaluation and new interpretations of the characters of positive and negative heroes in folklore are not new in the Armenian and world literature. Armenian greatest writers Hovhannes Tumanyan, Avetik Isahakyan, Derenik Demirchyan, Stepan Zoryan, Hamastegh and others have touched on the character of Brave Nazar. As a talented novelist, Mkrtich Sargsyan was deeply aware of the responsibility he undertook by writing an extensive work, a fairy tale-novel, which has been highly appreciated in the literary world. Mkrtich Sargsyan created many toponyms corresponding to the places of residence and the behavior of the heroes: Sarsaghstan, Talanstan, as well as proper names: Pespes, Dghird, whore Pepush, folklore singer Aigun, Azatuni, Varduni, Khrokhtuni, playwrights Chkunyan, Tsakhkuni, actor Nmanakyan playing the role of Nazar. Nazar is not a one-faced character: on the one hand he is a coward, lazy, boastful peasant who gradually becomes a king, adopting typical behavior of a cruel, bloodthirsty ruler, sometimes as an intelligent king though. The characters of women in Nazar’s life are interesting: the virtuous, intelligent, beautiful woman Nazan, who transforms in the palace, and the whore Pepush, who eventually seduces Nazar. Sargsyan’s interpretations of the philosophy of fear are also interesting. There are almost no secondary characters in the fairy-tale novel, all of them have their justified roles in Nazar’s life. Pespes and Dghird are also among them. Nazar’s armor and flag are also notable. Mkrtich Sargsyan’s work is also rich in brilliant use of language imagery and expressive means.