A Temporary Grave: a Train. The Journey to and from Cologne in the Works of Vladimir Kantor Cover Image

Tymczasowy grób - pociąg. Podróż do i z Kolonii w twórczości Władimira Kantora
A Temporary Grave: a Train. The Journey to and from Cologne in the Works of Vladimir Kantor

Author(s): Urszula Trojanowska
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Studies of Literature
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Warmińsko-Mazurskiego w Olsztynie
Keywords: russian contemporary literature; prose of Vladimir Kantor; journey; train symbolic; literary metaphor

Summary/Abstract: This article attempts to analyze and interpret an extremely popular in the Russian literature spatial category, which is the train. This special place connotes different kinds of pieced-out meanings. The purpose of this paper is to look at how the train theme functions in the work of a contemporary writer Vladimir Kantor. The research material consists of two of his works: the story entitled The Safety Brake and the story entitled The Köln - Moscow train. Particularly interesting seems to be a comparison of the train to a grave and its importance in the reflection on the situation, the fate and Russia’s development path, as well as the human life of a contemporary intellectual. The train becomes a metaphor of the journey into yourself and exploring your own identity. The story characters: a young boy and a mature man delve into themselves during the journey and learn the truth not only about themselves but also about the world around them.

  • Issue Year: VII/2016
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 247-260
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: Polish