The Symbol of Thunderstorms in I. Turgenev’s Works

Abstract

For the first time thunderstorm as a symbol appeared in the works by Russian classics. That was not the novels by A. Ostrovsky, as it is commonly believed, but the ones by I. Turgenev. The purpose of the research is to find out whether there are any descriptions of thunderstorm in Russian literature that precede A. Ostrovsky's Thunderstorm. Literary, cultural and historical approaches are used in the article. Scientific and practical significance of the work consists in revealing the peculiarities of the literary poetics of the 19th century, reflected in the novels of that period. The function of thunderstorm in novels is of symbolic significance. Its literary symbolism, as well as its interpretations, has a long history. The firstattempts to define the concept of this symbol were made in the Ancient Greece, later German philosophers devoted many works to the definition and interpretation of the symbol. This is significant for the works by Ivan Turgenev. His works reflect the most important Hegelian idea: the connection of arts beauty and the Nature, which is although a little modified. I. Turgenev’s system of philosophy values and his creative abilities were formed under the influence of life realities of his period. The symbol of thunderstorm, as a poetic element, is often used by the author. It appears in his main works. Thus, it is possible to speak about its specific semantic and structural importance in the writer's novels. Taking into consideration the emotional aspect, the symbol thunder reflects various psychological states of the hero, his experiences. The description of the storm itself is an element that multiplies the artistic value of the work. The results of the research can be used in the course on the History of Russian literature of the 19th century.