Biblical precedent phenomena in the prose of Pavel Ulitin (based on the book Makarov scratches the back of his head)

Abstract

This article analyzes biblical precedent phenomena in the book Makarov Scratches the Back of his Head by Pavel Ulitin, one of the less studied writers. Using the theory of precedent and in tertextuality, the authors analyze the transformations of biblical names, sayings, texts, and situa tions in Ulitin’s associative and fragmented narrative. They identify all types of precedent phe nomena originating from the Bible: precedent names (Pontius Pilate, the Virgin Mary, Belshaz zar, Nebuchadnezzar, and others), texts (the Old and New Testaments), sayings, and situations that contribute to revealing the central theme of the book – the fate of the writer under persecu tion for ideas violating censorship. The analysis is based on descriptive methods, contextual anal ysis, and other methods. The study concludes that biblical precedent phenomena become an integral component of the associative and fragmented narrative. They are part of the cultural code and a mechanism for intercultural communication, linking readers to works of Russian and foreign literature, and reflecting the theme of selfless dedication to art and the confrontation between the writer and the system. Thus, biblical precedents become an essential feature of the author’s strategy, assisting the reader in better comprehending the author’s intent.