Multi-layered scenario of the novel “Earth” by Mikhail Elizarov

Abstract

This article discusses the novel “Earth” by the contemporary Russian writer Mikhail Elizarov. The plot of the novel develops in the context of philosophical views of the writer with postmodernist idea of thanatological concept of the world. The goal consist in analysis of the plot through organizing power of the “motifs” and their modifications. The relevance of this research lies in the fact that this article is first to carry out the motivic analysis of multi-layered scenario of the novel “Earth”. The author explores the thanatological motif that forms the plot of the novel and correlates with other motifs, such as anthropological, philosophical, maturing, romantic, and procedural criminal. The following conclusions were made:  1) The work “Earth” demonstrates the genre characteristics of the novel and balances on the border between realism and deconstruction, The conducted motivic analysis proves the presence of static and dynamic motifs. The theme of hallucinogenic narrative resembles life, death, and fate. 2) The motifs in the novel “Earth” are intertwined, overlaying and complementing each other. The author believes that the key motif is thanatological motif, which manifests on several levels and interlaces with the characters of the novel in most episodes. This motif forms the plot and theme, as well as other philosophical, anthropological, maturing, romantic, and procedural criminal motifs in the novel. 3)  The lyrical motif of the novel “Earth” is the romantic motif. The epic motif is the duel between two Krotyshevs brothers. Dramatic motif is both, thanatological and philosophical motifs, which describes senescence and brevity of life. Motif of maturing along with anthropological motif are considered as individual motif.