The Samovar as a Phenomenon of Russian Culture and a Unit of Cultural Code Represented in Literature

Resumen

This article delves into the meanings of the samovar in classical literature, addressing inherent complexities, and positing hypotheses to unveil the phenomenon. In the texts by A. S. Pushkin, L. N. Tolstoy, F. M. Dostoevsky, A. P. Chekhov, etc., the image of the samovar transcends its utilitarian purpose to become a vessel of cultural commentary and metaphorical exploration. Although the image of the samovar in literature has long attracted the attention of researchers, this approach focuses on its role as a symbol in the context of socio-cultural aspects. The purpose of this study is to reveal the depth of the meaning of the linguaculturema ‘samovar’ through the analysis of literary texts illuminating its image, and to identify new aspects that were previously unnoticed or insufficiently explored. The article's hypotheses suggest that the evolution of the samovar image – from a symbol of 19th-century comfort and traditions to 20th-century irony and nostalgia – reflects shifts in Russian cultural identity, revealing the dynamics of national consciousness. The study highlights the importance of understanding the evolution of the samovar image for analyzing changes in cultural identity and national consciousness. This method works as a mechanism for the transfer of the Russian cultural code and its expressions in literature, contributing to interdisciplinary research on cultural symbols. The research contributes to cultural science and literary criticism enhancing understanding of cultural phenomena in a global context, leading to further research opportunities for the image-symbol of samovar in folk art and painting.