Archetype as the communication tool of national cultures: on the question of the typological similarity of Russian and Hungarian literatures (based on the short story “Student” by A.P. Chekhov and the novel “Two Beggar-Students” by Mikszáth Kálmán)

Abstract

The study aim is finding of interaction between national and universal features in works by the Russian and the Hungarian writers, shift from ethnocultural to common content as the specific communication tool of different national literatures. Methodology. Methodological study base is the system unity of cultural and anthropological, structural semiotic and typological, comparative and mythopoetic methods. Results. A.P. Chekhov and K. Mikszáth works include national specificity as well as universal motives and images. Revealed by comparative analysis writers common archetypical platform speaks to common great-roots of their work. Although this approach doesn’t exclude, even involves studies of individual artistic manner, biographic, historical and cultural impact. The common typological row is the fact of world literature phenomenon. Human inward life repeats in specific forms, particularly in archetypes. Comparison of the novel by K. Mikszáth “Two Beggar-Students” and the story “Student” by A.P. Chekhov shows the common typological row (characters status, images of home, road, way and transitivity motives) and simultaneously manifestation variety. Conclusion/recommendations. Convergence of motives and imaginary components in works by K. Mikszáth and A.P. Chekhov intensifies authentic features of the writers. The typological row allows seeing similarity and understanding better difference between the Russian and the Hungarian writers.