THE BINARY OPPOSITION «FRIEND – FOE» AS A MEANS OF INTRODUCING A SOCIAL MYTH IN BELARUSIAN NOVELS ABOUT COLLECTIVIZATION

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to trace features of introduction of a social myth in a literary text at the level of the system of characters through poles of the binary opposition «friend – foe» (based on the material of Bela-rusian literary works about collectivization). The mythological layer of literary works about collectivization in-cludes an archaic heroic myth, as well as a myth about enemies who are an obstacle to achieving an ideal social order. In literary works about collectivization at the plot’s level heroic myth is transformed into a narrative about people who conduct collectivization, whose activities are constructive and cause a positive mode of reader’s per-ception. Foes try to disguise themselves in order to harm Soviet society. This contrast reflected requirements of the social myth and helped to justify persecution of «foes».