Archive of Scientific Articles

Abstract. The author reveals the theme of childhood in the novel "Sankya" by Z. Prilepin, which is of great importance both in the development of plot, and in the understanding of main heroes’ characters. Prilepin’s characters, showing particular attitude to children, are verified by it on humanity, the ability to love. The writer also often refers to the childhood of central heroes, finding in this time period the roots of their behaviour, the origins of their fates. The author pays special attention in the aspect of child theme to such adults’ feature as childishness: a lot of characters from "Sankya" possess it. Childishness can have both a positive meaning being treated as synonym for luxuriant imagination, ingenuousness, honesty and purity, and a negative meaning, equating to infantilism and irresponsibility, inability to take responsibility for one’s actions. Artistic details and colour art play important role in child theme revelation by Zakhar Prilepin.

Key words and phrases: мотив детства, детские образы, Захар Прилепин, "Санькя", образ ребенка, motif of childhood, child’s images, Zakhar Prilepin, "Sankya", image of child