Phenomenon of P. A. Oyunsky in the context of the world literature

Abstract

The topicality of problem caused bythe increased interest in the person and creative legacy of Platon Oyunsky in the modern time. The study of his works contains open questions. In particular, his evolution as a thinker and writer is often forgotten, which leads to an ideological approach to him as merely an ardent fighter and “messenger” of the revolution. Early Oyunsky represented the “agenda-driven” type of a writer. His poetry was connected with social and political activity. Establishing Soviet power in Yakutia, taking part in civil war, creating “The Song of Freedom” and “The Eagle’s Will”, he truly believed in ideals of social justice and internationalism. Meanwhile, he avoided individualism, ideas of autocracy and tribune. In his early works, there were concepts of “people”, “workers”, “poor people”, his lyrical hero had collective, generalized character. There are ideas of opposition towards totalitarianism in P. Oyunsky`s later works “Kudangsa, the Great” and “Alexander, the Great”.

Another thing is there remains an obsolete tradition to limit the studies of his heritage within Yakut literature only. So far, the aim of our article is to study P. Oyunsky`s works against the wider background of world literature. Re-created by him monumental epic olonkho “Nurgun Bootur, the Swift” has typological similarities not only with epic poems of the Turk people, but also with such ancient manuscripts as Celtic sagas or Skandinavian“Senior Edda”. At the dramatic poem “Red Shaman” and the legend story “Kudangsa, the Great” traditions of Shakespeare’s tragedies “Hamlet” and “Macbeth” are felt. Besides, P. Oyunsky is one of founders of Yakut school of literary translation. All these arguments confirm the relevance of the topic “P. Oyunsky and world literature”.

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