A sin in dramatic art by Lesya Ukrainka: from primary literature to the art version

Abstract

The article represents an attempt to provide an interpretation of notion “sin” based on dramatic poems and dramatic sketches on early Christianity by Lesya Ukrainka. Choosing such an aspect is determined by lack of attention from literary critics who up to now either avoided it in spite of the evident need for interpretation or interpreted it from atheistic positions or treated this problem as one of the many factors not emphasizing it on purpose.

The main attention in the present research is paid to the interpretation of a central notion “sin” based on the Bible, the Law of God, special reference books such as encyclopedias and dictionaries on the Bible. Since the analyzed works represent a monotheistic and polytheistic ideology we considered it necessary to compare the understating of a sin in Christianity and paganism, using for this material collected by F. Zelinsky, G. Lozko, S. Sviridova and others.

The analysis of fiction books is done on content-creative and shape-creative levels taking into account problematic and thematic complexes, peculiarities of building an image system (opposition of religion, age, social status), plot and composition structures (type of conflict, peculiarities of its development, solution, role of remarks, structure-creative role of a sin etc.) poetics of character creation (gradation, contrast).

The importance of sin in understanding the works by Lesya Ukrainka has been concluded: we are convinced that it is about the synthesis of philosophical and esthetic and philosophical and psychological levels of understanding human nature ambivalent by its essence, whose display depends of understanding the priorities in the dyad material / spiritual which means either seduction and a sin or conservation of internal beauty.

The perspective of further research has been determined: general analysis of works by Ukrainian writer (lyrics, lyrico-epos, drama, prose in particular fragmentary); deeper, more persuasive understanding of a literary contribution to the literary context at the beginning of the XX century and in further periods; an ability to appeal to archetype origins, cultural codes.