THEMATIC AND GENRE-STYLE TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE SHORT PROSE OF KOST GORDIENKO OF THE 1920s

Abstract

The article explores the creative searches and artistic innovations of the Ukrainian prose writer Kost Gordienko against the backdrop of the socio-political upheavals of the early 20th century. The author analyzes how national liberation aspirations and revolutionary fervor influenced the literary process, particularly in short prose, which became a field for experimenting with genre and stylistic forms. Gordienko made his debut in 1923, and throughout the 1920s, he actively turned to the short story, essay, and sketch, depicting the reality of his time, the lives of workers and peasants. His works, such as «Barzhan» and «Red Dews», are examined to illustrate how traditional realist approaches merge with modernist explorations, including elements of Impressionism and Expressionism, along with influences from Symbolism and Futurism.
The article reveals the impact of revolutionary enthusiasm on the stylistics and themes of his works, where he employs Symbolism, Futurism, Impressionism, and Expressionism to portray psychological and social changes. Special attention is paid to the realistic depiction of working and living conditions, reflecting public life and cultural shifts associated with the activities of the working classes.
The study emphasizes that by focusing on «mobile» genres, Kost Gordienko avoided extended epic forms, which reflected the dynamic events of that turbulent era. Special attention is also given to the critical reviews of Soviet literary critics, who often limited the writer’s creativity to ideological standards, focusing on the «shortcomings» of his ideological stance. Simultaneously, the article notes that the early short prose of Kost Gordienko is characterized by thematic diversity, genre-style flexibility, and a striving for an individual manner, marking his contribution as an essential part of the «Red Renaissance» literary period.