A study of flash fiction written by realist writers in a course of Ukrainian literature in a 2nd half of the 19th century

Abstract

The article
analyzes the ways of telling stories in flash fiction written in the 2nd half of the 19th
century from the narratological point of view. The article contributes to the literary
education of students, supplements their knowledge of prose of this period, deepen
skills of literary analysis of art. Usually the period of realism is associated with the
development of large epic genres, and the search for new genre and style forms –
with the period of the frontier. The article reveals the specifics of ways of telling
stories: linear plot, chronological inversion, retardation, plot mystery, dramatic
situation, which allow to understand the duration of the literary process, the notable
features of the individual style of writers of this period.
On the example of flash fiction written by Borys Grinchenko, Panas Myrny,
Yuriy Fedkovych, Ivan Franko and other writers the specifics of such works are revealed, their features are analyzed: chronological inversion is that the sequence of
presentation does not correspond to the sequence of events, expositional episodes and
those that determine the connection, development of action, culmination and
denouement. Retardation is a deliberate slowing down or delay of narration, when in
the middle of the development of the action the episode is interrupted by the author's
indentation, delayed by the landscape description, interrupted by another episode.
The plot mystery is a means of unfolding the narrative, built on the fact that the
author does not immediately teach the reader information that is important for a full
understanding of events. Whimsical intrigue is used as an effective means of creating
plot tension in drama. Creating a dramatic situation means acute, complex, dangerous
circumstances in which the will, courage, loyalty of the character are tested. Plot
mysteries, intricate intrigues, unexpected vicissitudes are pumped up in the works of
the adventure genre, where they serve as an exciting game.