Works by L. F. Zurov as a neo-realism phenomenon (towards traditions of the Silver Age in literature of the Russian abroad)

Abstract

The article focuses on the works of the “young emigration” writer Leonid Zurov (1902–1971) in the context of traditions of the Russian Silver Age. The research is based on the analysis of the stories and novels Cadet, An Ancient Way, Field, Blue Cow Wheat, and some archival materials. Author concludes that in Zurov’s works there are features of neo-realism esthetics. Zurov’s model of the world is characterized by cosmism, unity of natural and social life, approval of the feasibility of existence. In the sphere of style there are the processes typical for neo-realism: lyricism in narration, weakening of fable connections, dissolution of genre border. Images tend to symbolization (e. g. floral and color symbols), at Zurov’s creativity there are through mythemes: ancient way, field, earth, sun, waters. The titles of the novels An Ancient Way and Field represent the mythemes which reflected the historical concept of Zurov who studied archeology and claimed that the northwest area of Russia had been populated with Slavs since ancient times. The field mytheme in Zurov’s works is allocated with the meanings which are going back to folklore, Old Russian and literary traditions. The floral symbols are connected with comparison of a person and a plant, e. g. killed soldiers on the battlefield are compared to the cut-off rye ears. The symbolism of blue and gold colors in the story Blue Cow Wheat also goes back to the Russian folklore, an Old Russian iconography and “young symbolism” aesthetics. These features indicate the enrichment of traditional realism means with the new modernist esthetics.