Comparative research of archetypical images of Russian and European fairy tales

Abstract

This article is multidisciplinary comparative study. It includes some aspects of civilizational theory, psychoanalysis, and literary criticism. Objects of study are archetypal metaphorical images of two fairy tales: Russian “Kuzma Skorobogaty” and European “Puss in Boots”.

In this study were used the method of psychoanalysis of Clarissa P. Estes, literary and socio-political analysis. This allowed us to identify some differences between the basic European and Russian social values.

The study demonstrated that Russian civilization has a special values and archetypal core, which were a prerequisite for its emergence and preservation. Russian civilization space was expanding by the inclusion of ethnic groups, which personified in a folk tale in the images of the shepherds of Zmey Gorynych. The authors think than reproduction of the authentic hierarchy of archetypes and values is an indispensable condition for the preservation of Russian civilization.