Volume 05 Issue 11-2024
6
CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHILOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(ISSN
–
2767-3758)
VOLUME
05
ISSUE
11
Pages:
6-9
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2022:
6.
041
)
(2023:
7.
491
)
(2024:
8.235
)
OCLC
–
1242423883
Publisher:
Master Journals
ABSTRACT
In R.Senchin's family story "The Yeltyshevs," the portrayal of the "little man" is presented in a novel manner,
representing one of the most enduring and ideologically profound themes in 19th-century Russian literature. A
meticulous examination of the saga's text, augmented by an analysis of literary scholars' and critics' conclusions,
reveals that the "little man" is increasingly not merely a victim of circumstances, but rather an individual attempting
to conform to societal norms, ultimately becoming a source of difficulties for both others and his family. In
contemporary fiction of new realism, the "little man" transcends the role of a mere societal archetype of suffering,
evolving into a protagonist accountable for both family and others. R.Senchin examines the moment at which an
individual relinquishes such obligation.
KEYWORDS
Family saga, "little man", "The Yeltyshevs", new realism.
INTRODUCTION
The contemporary literary process in Russian literature
is a swiftly evolving phenomena. The variety of genres
and the range of writing styles suggest that the literary
process is experiencing substantial transformations. A.
Yu.Bolshakova asserts that the categories of "realism"
and "modernism" represent a synthesis of specialized
sciences, characterized by mutual infiltration and
enhancement. Contemporary prose primarily evolves
at the convergence of realism and modernism.” [1., p.
20]. An illustration of this intersection is “The
Yeltyshevs” by R.Senchin, demonstrating that the
family saga genre persists in its evolution within the
framework of new realism. R.Senchin is among the
select realist authors who successfully elevated the
Research Article
TRADITIONS AND INNOVATIONS IN THE REPRESENTATION OF THE
"LITTLE MAN" IN R. SENCHIN'S FAMILY SAGA "THE YELTYSHEVS"
Submission Date:
November 04, 2024,
Accepted Date:
November 09, 2024,
Published Date:
November 14, 2024
Crossref doi:
https://doi.org/10.37547/philological-crjps-05-11-02
Kurchatova Anna Shavkatovna
Basic doctoral student of the National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek, Uzbekistan
Journal
Website:
https://masterjournals.
com/index.php/crjps
Copyright:
Original
content from this work
may be used under the
terms of the creative
commons
attributes
4.0 licence.
Volume 05 Issue 11-2024
7
CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHILOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(ISSN
–
2767-3758)
VOLUME
05
ISSUE
11
Pages:
6-9
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2022:
6.
041
)
(2023:
7.
491
)
(2024:
8.235
)
OCLC
–
1242423883
Publisher:
Master Journals
family saga genre, transforming both its conceptual
framework and creative methodology. V.Toporov
observes that “The Yeltyshevs” constitutes a brief
familial narrative. In the essence of Maxim Gorky. This
narrative illustrates not the establishment and
prosperity of the family, but its dissolution and demise.
Consequently, the critic highlights a divergent
development within the designated genre, which
undeniably represents the writer's innovation. "The
Yeltyshevs" narrates the tragic tale of a Russian family
interred alive in a pit-village, leading to their extinction.
To enhance accuracy, the text includes dates of
significant events, prices of products and services, and
the amounts of pensions and salaries. Information
regarding rural life and commerce is also provided. The
author of this book is a pochvennik and a traditionalist.
Critic K.Milchin states, "Senchin is an urban writer who
documents the total demise of traditional lifestyles and
the impossibility of reverting to them, regardless of
whether this is lamentable or satisfying." [3.] This
quotation accurately encapsulates the narrative of the
Yeltyshev story, whereby the protagonists are a typical
family that originated during the Soviet period and
nearly vanished in the sovereign state of the new
millennium. The Yeltyshevs exemplify typical provincial
characteristics. S.Shargunov accurately observes that
“Roman Senchin writes about individuals who are
seldom depicted.” Concerni
ng the loss. Concerning the
diminutive individual” [7].
In Russian classical literature, there exists a gallery of
"little people," initially identified by A.S. Pushkin, with
Samson Vyrin from the tale "The Stationmaster" being
the inaugural character. Nearly two centuries have
elapsed since that time, however the Yeltyshev epic
exemplifies that this archetype persists, albeit in a
somewhat altered form. The literary encyclopedic
dictionary defines the 'Little Man' in literature as a term
for various heroes who share the commonality of
occupying a low position in the social hierarchy, which
influences their psychology and social behavior,
characterized by humility, a sense of injustice, and
wounded pride. Consequently, the 'Little Man'
frequently operates in contrast to another character, a
high-ranking individual, a 'significant person' (as
defined in Russian literature influenced by N.V.Gogol's
'The Overcoat'), with the plot's progression primarily
structured around a narrative of insult, offense, or
misfortune. [2., p. 368].
Upon substituting the image of the protagonist with
this description, it becomes evident that nearly all the
attributes align with him: “Like many of his
contemporaries,
Nikolai
Mikhailovich
Yeltyshev
maintained throughout much of his life that one should
act as a human being, fulfill one’
s obligations, and as a
result, one would be gradually rewarded.” A
promotion, an apartment, a salary increase, from
which one can initially save for a refrigerator,
subsequently for a wall unit, a crystal service, and
ultimately for a car. While Samson Vyrin, Akaki
Akakievich, and Makar Devushkin each possess a
singular, cherished aspiration characterized by their
affection for a beloved
—
be it daughter Dunya,
neighbor Varenka Dobrosyolova (Vyrin, Devushkin), or
an object such as an overcoat (Bashmachkin)
—
Nikolai
Eltyshev harbors numerous ambitions that ascend in
complexity, yet his existence unfolds without
direction. While the "little man" from ancient literature
experiences profound loneliness and societal
invisibility, Nikolai Mikhailovich, in contrast, is a
devoted family man, a father of two sons, and serves
as a police captain. Nonetheless, he is a "little man" due
to his inability to withstand the circumstances that
obliterated his family, subjecting them to humiliation,
ridicule, and gossip: the youngest son is confined to a
correctional facility for incapacitating an individual
with a blow to the forehead; the remainder of the
family finds themselves homeless after Nikolai
Mikhailovich perpetrates an official crime; his wife,
Volume 05 Issue 11-2024
8
CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHILOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(ISSN
–
2767-3758)
VOLUME
05
ISSUE
11
Pages:
6-9
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2022:
6.
041
)
(2023:
7.
491
)
(2024:
8.235
)
OCLC
–
1242423883
Publisher:
Master Journals
Valentina Viktorovna, is compelled to resign from her
position as the entire family relocates from the city to
the village, to the residence of her aunt Tatyana. The
state reclaims the apartment. Valentina is likewise a
"little man". Her retirement from the position of library
director does not alter the status quo for others. No
one convinces her to remain. Both partners are 50
years of age. The majority of their lives have been
experienced. In advanced age, both encounter the
most challenging living circumstances. Having
previously sought refuge from all challenges in the city,
Valentina Yeltysheva was unaware that her existence
would devolve into a cyclical pattern, ultimately
leading her back to its origin - the village of Muranovo.
In contrast to the protagonists of Pushkin and Gogol,
R.Senchin's character endeavors to contemplate and
assess the moment he deviated from the correct path:
“Later,
painfully
clenching
his
fists,
Nikolai
Mikhailovich recalled how he was urged to resign, 'get
busy,' 'enter into a share,' and how various
opportunities to genuinely alter his destiny presented
themselves. However, he lacked the courage. He may
have acted correctly; numerous individuals who
extended their assistance subsequently perished, were
murdered, or imprisoned, while others currently exist
in a manner that renders them inaccessible
—
they
operate on an other plane. The diminutive individual
questions the validity of the decision rendered,
although we recognize that it is motivated by timidity.
The coerced "escape" to Muranovo dictates
subsequent
developments,
illustrating
the
unavoidable marginalization of the Yeltyshev Nikolai
Mikhailovich, after encountering the Kharin family,
who engaged in fooling guests, loses 2,500 rubles
—
a
significant amount for the acquisition of a fictitious
chainsaw. The Kharins' swindle incenses Yeltyshev. His
escalating internal aggravation ultimately manifests in
action, resulting in his transformation into a murderer.
The initial casualty is the elderly aunt Tatyana, whose
continued existence vexes Nikolai Mikhailovich with
her incessant lamentations. He escorts her to a
dilapidated, deserted house adjacent and abandons
her there to succumb to the cold. He inadvertently kills
his neighbor Kharin, akin to his own kid, yet endeavors
to conceal his involvement entirely, framing the events
as mere accidents. Valentina Viktorovna Yeltysheva
possesses comprehensive knowledge on all subjects.
Nevertheless, she remains faithful to her spouse.
Following her diabetes diagnosis, she consistently
implores Nikolai: "Consider me." The Yeltyshevs are
incapable of constructing a dwelling, integrating into
village life, or effecting any positive change in their
residence. They commence the sale of alcohol,
something they had previously deemed inappropriate.
They intentionally reject their grandson, the sole heir
and perpetuator of their family name. They are
victimized by theft, gradually succumb to alcoholism,
and are unable to account for the demise of their
youngest son, Denis
—
their final hope for a better,
promising future. N. Severnaya accurately observes
that "The Yeltyshevs" is "a novel concerning the
absence of love, the presence of hatred and spiritual
void, as well as poverty, which has eroded not only the
human spirit but also the nation." [7.] The research
enables us to derive the subsequent conclusions:
"The Yeltyshevs" is a familial narrative by R.Senchin
that explores the disintegration of a family, its
obliteration, the erosion of familial bonds, and the
deterioration of collective memory. The principal
characters are a typical regional family, the Yeltyshevs,
who struggled to acclimate to contemporary reality.
R.Senchin's novelty resides in his invocation of the
"little man" archetype, exemplified by the Yeltyshev
family. The quintessential characteristics of the "little
man" in their representations are spiritual destitution,
degradation, and the incapacity to advocate for
individual satisfaction.
Volume 05 Issue 11-2024
9
CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHILOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(ISSN
–
2767-3758)
VOLUME
05
ISSUE
11
Pages:
6-9
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2022:
6.
041
)
(2023:
7.
491
)
(2024:
8.235
)
OCLC
–
1242423883
Publisher:
Master Journals
Innovations reflecting the metamorphosis of the "little
man" are depicted grotesquely: pettiness and envy,
bewilderment in the face of adversity, inflexibility in
decision-making, and steady decline, culminating in the
terrible demise of the entire provincial family. The issue
of family is addressed in the tale through the increased
emphasis on the "little man" archetype, illustrating
how the protagonists self-destruct. The traditional
perception of Russian literature is reconceptualized
not as melancholy, but rather as tragic and
simultaneously grotesque. This is no longer a victim,
but a character; yet, those reliant on him become
casualties.
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Топоров В. Роман № 3. // Актуальные
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Шаргунов С. Про пропащих// Блог «Эхо Москвы»,
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