Sokolova G. A.

Play with time and space in Stefan Zweig’s short stories. – Pp. 134–141.

UDC 821.112.2(436)-32.09«19»

DOI 10.37724/RSU.2024.84.3.015

 

Abstract. The article is devoted to temporal and spatial parameters in the Austrian writer Stefan Zweig’s short stories Amok and Letter from an Unknown Woman. Using the method of linguistic analysis, the author reveals grammatical means of verbalization of artistic time and space. The focus of the study is on nouns, adjectives, tense forms and numerals. The paper analyzes the original text of the novellas, as well as examples from D. Gorfinkel’s Russian translations. During the linguistic analysis we highlight the leading role of nouns with spatial meaning in the verbalization of the fictional space, as well as the significance of verb tense forms as predominant linguistic means of depicting fictional time. The novellas Amok and Letter from an Unknown Woman implement linguistically an important category of a poetic text, the chronotope. This category is also called time-space, which indicates the inextricable connection and unity of temporal and spatial characteristics of the text. Temporal parameters, as the fourth characteristic of artistic space, are used by Stefan Zweig in many cases together with spatial parameters. Due to the use of toponyms, the artistic space in the novellas is described most concretely. Temporal parameters are not precisely defined. They are depicted concisely, sometimes in the form of remarks, thus showing a fast-pace narrative in the works. The two novels also share similarities in their composition: they have a frame structure with retrospective flashbacks. The glimpses into the past of the main characters create intrigue and add poignancy to the plot.

 

Keywords: time, space, grammatical means, frame composition, retrospection.

 

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