N.V.GOGOL: “TERRIBLE VENGEANCE” – A CIRCLE AND A BOWL

Abstract

The article deals with Nykolai Gogol’s trip to the Crimea (1835) and the «Сrimean text» of Ukraine in his tale “Terrible vengeance” (1832). The author examins its structure, symbolic system, religious and philosophical content. The story of M. Gogol is a rich source for multi-dimensional research, in particular from the point of view of the mythological notions of Ukrainians, because in the lines of Gogol’s prose amazing authentic mysticism is skillfully encoded. The rich mythological layer underlies in the system of images and plot lines, it shows the author’s significantly goes deeper into the archaic consciousness of the people, which is highlighted in folk customs, beliefs and legends, and he enjoyed its richness when writing a story. Factual data are collected on Gogol’s staying in Saqi, the West Crimean village. There he felt relief and cope with long term depression. Crimean allusions in his text are put under analysis. Historical and cosmic time are also compared. “Terrible revenge” is surrounded by a legendary fantastic aureole. In the research the magic theme of otherworldly human nature is raised. And all this is described with Gogol’s peculiar skill and talent. The classic writer pours ridicule on these phenomena, then introduces them into the Cossack life, folklore and folk customs, then colorfully creates gloomy and ominous pictures of life, conveying their mood and influencing the perception of the reader. This is especially noticeable in the description of the area where the events take place.The plot of the story is given a new interpretation in the national and cross-cultural aspects.