Article

Name: Topics of a Fairy-Tale in the Plot Structure of V. Zazubrin’s Play “Undermining”

Authors: E. N. Proskurina

Institute of Philology SB RAS (Novosibirsk, Russian Federation)

Abstract: The article provides a structural analysis of the «forgotten» play by V. Zazubrin “Undermining”. This is the final work of the writer, created in the mid-1930s. The plot is organized around the conflict between the “archaists and innovators” from medicine. Its compliance to the normative parameters of the socialist-realism canon is shown, following which leads to the same type of the Soviet plot as such. Similar plot type, which is formed as a result of typical actions of the heroes, correlates with the model of a fairy-tale, where there is also a predetermination of the actions of the characters. In dramaturgy, these properties are most distinct. The plot of the Zazubrin’s play moves from the failures of the hero-innovator, his accusations of sabotage by colleagues of the older generation and the ban on further experimentation – to a scientific triumph and wedding. This corresponds to the functions of a fairy-tale plot, such as “shortage”, the struggle of the hero and the antagonist, violation of the prohibition, solving a difficult task, marriage and “reigning”. The analysis leads to the conclusion: the schematic behavior of the hero, his subordination to the plot within the boundaries of a given canon leads to a decrease in the artistic level of the play, depriving its content of the occasionality that is characteristic of Zazubrin’s early work.

Keywords: V. Zazubrin’s play “Undermining”, V. Propp, topic of a fairy- tale, Soviet drama, socialist-realism canon

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