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- Figures of speech of creating intertextual connections in the novel “The Gardens of Semiramis” by Sergey Gorodetsky
- Tumanova V.A. Figures of speech of creating intertextual connections in the novel “The Gardens of Semiramis” by Sergey Gorodetsky. Vestnik of Kostroma State University, 2026, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 170–176. (In Russ.) https://doi. org/10.34216/1998-0817-2026-32-2-170-176
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.34216/1998-0817-2026-32-2-170-176
- УДК: 811.161.1’37
- EDN: PFTUPG
- Publish date: 2026-03-24
- Annotation: This article examines the problem of intertextuality in the unfinished novel “The Gardens of Semiramis” by Sergey Gorodetsky (1971). The aim of the study is to identify the intertext and its sources, characterise the structure and semantics of the novel’s intertextual elements, and determine the functioning of key intertextual elements in the writer’s narrative discourse. Particular attention is paid to the role of precedent names, catchphrases, and reminiscence quotations that create intertextual interaction. The study analyses the use of the biblical name “the Gardens of Semiramis”, identifying connotations in the context of classical and Armenian mythology, including its connection to the legend of Šamiram and the city of Van. The metaphor of garden is considered a recurring symbol, acquiring various meanings in Russian classical literature and in Gorodetsky’s novel. The article analyses the use of biblical allusions and their role in revealing the theme of the Armenian Genocide as a new “Original Sin”, the destruction of Armenian culture and history. It identifies the novel’s autotextual connections with Gorodetsky’s poem cycle “Angel of Armenia”, as well as elements of intermediality evident in the novel’s interaction with music and painting. The study’s findings demonstrate that Gorodetsky actively utilises intertextual connections to deepen the work’s meaning, create multifaceted images, and express his authorial position.
- Keywords: literary narrative, narrative discourse, Sergey Gorodetsky, figures of speech, intertexteme.
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