Artistic features of works based on the legend “Suosaljiya Tolbonnokh” by Sergey Zverev: narrative-compositional structure and character images

In this article, we examine the artistic features of works by Sergey Afanasyevich Zverev (1871–1973), a prominent representative of Yakut folk tradition, a folk singer, olonkho-teller, performer and choreographer of ritual dances. Special attention is paid to the author’s work on the texts of his works – the poem “Suosaljiya Tolbonnokh” (1941) and the musical drama “Suosaljiya Tolbonnokh” (1959). The narrative-compositional structure of the works and the artistic uniqueness of the images of main characters are analyzed. As a result, it was revealed that Zverev’s creative work represents an unique phenomenon demonstrating the transition from oral improvisation to written literature. In creating the poem “Suosaljiya Tolbonnokh”, the author adhered to the rules of epic narration; the narrative-compositional structure of the work is characterized by a chronological sequence of events occurring in a specific time and space, describing characters, their actions, and circumstances. The image of Suosaljiya Tolbonnokh possesses multifacetedness due to the use of traditional epic techniques. The author endows the heroine with qualities characteristic of an epic beauty, which plays a key role in the development of the plot. The intention to stage the drama “Suosaljiya Tolbonnokh” had an impact on its compositional structure of the work. The author intensifies the class conflict by portraying Suosaljiya Tolbonnokh as an advocate for a just and free life of the poor strata of the population, actively supporting them in their struggle against oppressors. Overall, Zverev created original artistic images of Suosaljiya Tolbonnokh in his works. 

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