THE MOTIF OF THE FATHER’S BLESSING IN F. M. DOSTOEVSKY’S NOVEL “HUMILIATED AND INSULTED”

Abstract

The article presents an interpretation of the motif of the father’s blessing in F. M. Dostoevsky’s novel “Humiliated and Insulted,” which is the key to the plot of this work. By depicting Natasha’s and Nelly’s mother’s departure from home and return to their fathers, the writer presented a female version of the biblical motif of the “prodigal son.” However, the two stories have different plots due to the absence or presence of a father’s blessing. Nellie’s mother died without receiving blessing and forgiveness. Natasha Ihmeneva, after ultimately receiving her father’s repentance, forgiveness and blessing, returned to her former life. The article notes that a parent’s blessing is an important motif in Russian folklore. In the fairy tale “Sivko-Burko,” recorded by A. N. Afanasyev, it is given as a reward for passing a test, and the fool Ivan manages to conquer the heart of the princess. Ihmenev’s condition at the time of his daughter’s escape is similar to that of the hero of Pushkin’s “Stationmaster” Samson Vyrin: the torments of the fathers are caused not so much by human shame as by the implied punishment of God. In ‘Humiliated and Insulted,” it was Ihmenev who took the first step towards reconciliation with his daughter, forgiveness and paternal blessing. While preserving significant folklore and biblical connotations, in Dostoevsky’s work the motif of the prodigal son is complemented by the motifs of Christian forgiveness and compassion.