The Farmstead Chronotope in G. Yakhina’s “Children of the Volga”

Abstract

Aim. To clarify the temporal and spatial characteristics and symbolic meaning of the farmstead chronotope in G. Yakhina’s novel “Children of the Volga”, as well as to indicate of the role and influence of the farmstead chronotope in creating and revealing the images of the novel’s characters. The article attempts at revealing the deep meaning of the novel and, at the same time, pointing out the connection between the farmstead chronotope and the manor chronotope in traditional Russian literature.

Methodology. This article researches the farmstead chronotope in the novel “Children of the Volga” on the basis of Bakhtin’s chronotope theory. The methods of observation, generalisation and interpretation of the results were applied in the research.

Results. The analysis revealed that, while inheriting the writing of manor descriptions in Russian literature, G. Yakhina uniquely depicted farmsteads in her novel. For the protagonists of the novel, the farmstead chronotope is not only a spiritual home, but also an island that limits their cognition and makes them obscure. It is also a sacred place for the rebirth of Bach’s soul. Being mainly based on the farmstead chronotope, the novel tells about the fate of the “small people” in the “big history”, showing their sorrow, joy and anger, and also reflects the writer’s genuine care and compassion for the small people.

Research implications. The research allows a better understanding of the novel “Children of the Volga” and will deepen the understanding of the farmstead and the manor chronotopes in Russian literature.