G. Pinyasov’s ‘Tyak Syaze Panchfkyazen’ (‘Don’t Pluck My Flower’): Depicting the Writer’s Reflexive Position

Abstract

The article considers literary devices applied by the famous Mordvinian writer G. Pinyasov for the depiction of the characters’ self-examination in Don’t Pluck My Flower. The analyzed literary composition is distinct for the little-used (in Mordovian literature) narrative form, the narrator’s image in the story (Boris Kurnyaev) acting as a conventional transmitter of the author’s speech. This gives room to the writer’s imagination which makes it possible for the author to disassociate from his ‘I’, and, thus, focus on tackling the artistic and creative tasks. So, though the story has a simple plot and is abundant in inner monologues, its originality still provokes great interest amongst readers. The paper notes that most significant means to convey a personal reflexive position are non-traditional reminiscences (in the form of the characters’ phrases from earlier compositions) and retrospection, the efficient artistic means being comparisons and metaphors. Due to the successfully chosen form of a tale (narrated by the author-taleteller), non-standard reminiscences, retrospection device, vivid comparisons and metaphors, the author not only expresses the individuals’ reflexive state but also identifies a number of ethical and moral problems. Those notably deal with the understanding of the meaning of life and creative work, including relations between men and women. The writer proves to be a proficient psychologist and a superb narrator.