TRANSFORMATION OF THE BIBLICAL MYTH IN P. BOULLE’S STORY “WHEN THE SERPENT FAILED”

Abstract

The article examines the role of the biblical motif and images, as well as the features of their transformation in Pierre Boulle’s story “When the Serpent Failed” within the framework of rethinking the traditional plot by the French author of the second half of the 20th century. A little-known story by the French writer is analyzed, which has not previously been the subject of special analysis, which determines the novelty of the study. An original interpretation of a well-known biblical myth, extraordinary principles of plotting and unusual images of the main characters are revealed. It is emphasized that, combining fantastic and mythological elements in his story, describing fictional worlds, P. Boulle questions the foundations of the existing society and shows possible alternatives for the development of mankind. He significantly changes and complicates the characters of typical biblical characters and the plot of the work. It is shown that the traditional motif of the struggle between “good” and “evil” is given by the writer in a radically new way. It is proved that the addition of a mythological component predetermines the conflict of the situation, a sudden turn of action and emphasizes the moral background of the problem, unthinkable outside of human content.