POETICS OF NARRATION IN «MOSCOW — PETUSHKI» BY VENEDIKT EROFEEV: REAL AND IMAGINARY

This paper studies some features of the poetics of the narration of the novel (poem) by Venedikt Erofeev «Moscow — Petushki»: the relation of positions, points of view of the hero-narrator and the author in the aspect of distinguishing between the real and the imaginary (first of all, this is the problem of the reality or fi ctitiousness of the character’s journey and the motivation that explains why he ended up on the return train). The mechanism of de-semiotization and blurring of referentiality used by Venedikt Erofeev is considered. The role of the relation of left and right, the function of the obscene inscription on the glass of the car vestibule, the dialogue between Venichka and the Sphinx: the incorporea lity of the Sphinx, the connection of this mythological creature with an obscene inscription that disorients the narrator is analyzed. In terms of the narrative point of view, the focus of narration, there is a diff erence between the positions of the author and Venichka. In the a uthor’s interpretation, the reconstruction of which was proposed above, the vicissitudes of the fi nal part of Venichka’s journey are explained by the fact that, a little before reaching the coveted Petushki, he ended up on the return train and what happens to him after that, until he fi nds himself in Moscow, is an alcoholic delirium mixed with glimpses of rea lity. In the understanding of the narrator, everything that happens, starting with a change in route, is an inexplicable absurdity.