The methodology of studying the literary type “little man” (based on the materials of A.P. Chekhov and Lu Xun)

Abstract

The article is devoted to a comparative analysis of the literary type "little man" in the works of A.P. Chekhov and Lu Xun. The study reveals the universal and national-specific features of this type in Russian and Chinese literature of the late XIX - early XX centuries. Chekhov's short stories and Lu Xun's short stories, in which the image of the "little man" is most vividly embodied, are analyzed.

It has been established that the key characteristics of this type in both authors are social insignificance, suffering, loneliness and spiritual degradation. The frequency of the corresponding motifs ranges from 54% to 74% in the texts of both writers. Statistically significant differences in the interpretation of the "little man" were revealed: Chekhov's motives of internal reflection are emphasized (43% vs. 28% for Lu Xun), whereas the Chinese author's motives of social humiliation prevail (61% vs. 54% for Chekhov). An original method of comparative analysis has been developed, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Based on a comprehensive analysis of short stories and short stories by writers, the key characteristics of the "little man", the features of his artistic embodiment and evolution in different cultural contexts are revealed. The proposed method of comparative analysis makes it possible to systematically describe variations of the type under consideration and opens up prospects for further comparative research in the field of typology of literary characters.

Keywords: "little man", A.P. Chekhov, Lu Xun, Russian literature, Chinese literature, comparative literature, typology of characters.