Article

Name: Plot in Vs. Ivanov’s Theoretical Works and Artistic Practice

Authors: Elena A. Papkova, Ekaterina A. Esenina, Lubov V. Sumatokhina

А. M. Gorky Institute of World Literature of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation

In the section Literary Life of the Plot

Abstract:

The article explores the literary theories and artistic output of Vs. Ivanov, with a particular focus on his contributions to plot theory and their embodiment in his novels – Kremlin, U, and Edessa’s Shrine – and their subsequent editions. Ivanov’s engagement with the plot theory began in the 1920s in Petrograd, where he was a member of the “Serapeons Brothers”, a literary group focused on the transformation of Russian literature towards greater storytelling. The influence of prominent plot theorist V. B. Shklovsky on Ivanov’s work is also highlighted. Later, as a teacher at the Literary Institute in the 1950s, Ivanov continued his theoretical studies, aiming to enrich both the theory and practice of literary craft.

The authors analyze Ivanov’s sketches and notes on plot construction, detailing his understanding of two approaches to plot building in, to us a broad categorization, classical and modern texts.

Ivanov distinguished the “orbital” plot scheme, based on the presence of a single center around which events revolve, and fragmentarily constructed works with multiple centers. The article connects Ivanov’s’ hypotheses to contemporary theoretical developments. The novels “Kremlin” and “U”, along with their later editions, serve as case studies for the implementation of Ivanov’s ideas regarding single and multiple textual centers.

The initial editions of these novels demonstrate an experimental approach to fragmentary texts, seemingly reflecting Ivanov’s perception of the fragmented reality of Soviet Russia and the erosion of traditional values.

By contrast, later editions, created in the hope of publication, favor an “orbital” plot scheme. The novel “Edessa’s Shrine” and its subsequent edition are examined for how the author complicated the original single-centered plot by introducing new storylines and characters.

Keywords: Vsevolod Ivanov, theory of literature, plot, “orbital scheme”, fragmentation, “The Kremlin”, “U”, “Edessa’s Shrine”, transformation of the plot in later editions

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