The Structure and Functions of the Chronotope in Oleg Ermakov's Travelogue Novel «The Song of Tungus»

Abstract

The subject of the study in the article is the chronotope and the features of its functioning in Oleg Ermakov's travelogue novel «The Song of Tungus» (2017). The purpose of the study is to identify and classify the types of chronotopes characteristic of the author's work, to show their structure and role in the representation of the author's picture of the world. Oleg Ermakov's travelogue is based on the opposition of the event and historical and cultural chronotope associated with the ancient traditions and rituals of the Evenks. Аt the event level, the novel «Song of Tungus» represents two parallel developing storylines: the wanderings of a hereditary Evenk, later a «fugitive criminal», Mishka Malchakitov and the story of a young forester Oleg Shustov, who escaped from the army and the world of civilization to the edge of pristine nature. However, the historical and cultural chronotope is above the event chronotope, which is based on the idea of finding a homeland-paradise and its true purpose. It is he who represents the spiritual journey of the hero. Oleg Ermakov's novel is polyphonic. Different types of characters are shown here, and many of them have their own journey, their own path to the cherished goal, either inscribed in the mythopoetic tradition, or existing separately from it. For example, Dmitriev's goal – to become the director of the reserve – is fundamentally different from the goal of Shustov and similar young ascetics who seek to create a model of an ideal reserve. This line is especially vividly demonstrated in the third part of the novel, where the author renounces monosubjectivity and a «chorus of voices» sounds.