I. YAKOVLEV CHUVASH STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY BULLETIN

symbolism, concept, French literature, railway station, railroad, image

The article presents a symbolic interpretation of the image of the railway station in French literature. On the basis of the analysis of works of French literature containing the image of the train station, this image is revealed as a symbol of freedom, change and transience, the key meanings in this context are revealed. Symbolism is an important element of French literature. Railway stations played a significant role in it, both as a setting and as a symbol. In the novels of G. Flaubert, E. Zola, M. Barbery, G. Simenon, J. Verne, P. Modiano, the railway station is a symbol of changing times and a symbol of characters' anxiety before the road leading from the frightening present to the unknown future. In connection with the reorganisation of urban space since the mid-nineteenth century, the railway station becomes a vivid example of a world in the process of transformation, which cannot but be reflected in literature. Random and unexpected encounters take place here. If at the beginning of its history the railway station, located on the outskirts and consisting of two parts - stone and iron - served as a border between the city and the space beyond, the modern railway station is a multifunctional space, often located almost in the city centre. Epochs change, but the railway station is still a symbol of change. At the railway station, a hero gains an opportunity to choose a path, decide on changes in destiny and take the first step towards these changes by stepping on the footboard of the train. The image of the railway station emphasizes the transient nature of life. It is both a place of expectation and intrigue. At the same time, it is the apex of the development of modern technologies and progress as well. The study allows us to conclude about the deep semantic content of the image of the railway station in French literature and the stability and universality of its symbolism.

Метелькова Лилия Александровна – кандидат педагогических наук, заведующий кафедрой иностранных языков и профессиональной коммуникации Национального исследовательского Московского государственного строительного университета (НИУ МГСУ), г. Москва, Россия, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9947-1344, lilia.metelkova@gmail.com

Даниелян Мери Георгиевна – кандидат филологических наук, заведующий кафедрой «Русский язык как иностранный» Национального исследовательского Московского государственного строительного университета (НИУ МГСУ), г. Москва, Россия, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0585-8765, daniel_mg@list.ru

Гордеева Наталья Геннадьевна – кандидат педагогических наук, доцент кафедры европейских языков и лингводидактики Чувашского государственного педагогического университета им. И. Я. Яковлева, г. Чебоксары, Россия, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6786-9291, gord1307@list.ru