SYMBOLIC VALUE OF ANIMALISTIC IMAGES IN SHORTS TO RIESBY T. GUNZIG AND T. MALIARCHUK

Abstract

In this article the problem of “a small person”, his existence in XX–XXI s. on the example of collected short stories “The smallest zoo in the world” by T. Gunzig and “Zvirislov” by T. Maliarchuk has been studied. Both authors used the contrast, the fancifulness, the unusual
in the life routine which is the feature of surrealistic story of XXІ с. Zoometaphors were used to show thehomeliness of lifeof “a small person” in XX–XXIs. Animalistic image has been proved to be an Alter Ego of any characters. Zoonimic expression of indifference to life, the absence of activity, the existential loneliness lead to the tragic ending of shorts stories meaning the spiritual death of a character as a result of despair. Both writers showed the loneliness of “a small person” in the world, his existential fear to live, the absurdness of the world. The idea of pessimistic human life is also emphasized by using zoometaphor in the title of a short story.