Metaphysics of Search in Short Stories by Fedir Potushniak

Abstract

Fedir Potushniak’s works were closely connected to historical and cultural tendencies of literary process of the late 19th – early 20th centuries and therefore reflected Modernism in its European and particular Ukrainian patterns, especially in its transcendental aspect concerning the metaphysical nature of human being. Thus the literary works by Fedir Potushniak require a study that takes into account philosophical ideas of his epoch.             Fedir Potushniak created his own philosophical conception considering human existence in connection with its spiritual aspect. The writer’s attempt of uncovering the transcendental sense of things is a peculiar feature of both his lyrics and prose. The paper interprets Potushniak’s short stories in the light of his philosophical understanding of metaphysics. Philosophical and aesthetic approach to the analysis of text involves using hermeneutical and aesthetic research methods.   Images, symbols, time and space variations and other literary details in the works by Fedir Potushniak have been examined with regard to the metaphysical nature of human being and the motif of search reflecting the way of the characters to perceiving their own life and art. A special accent has been made on the issue of human being in the writer’s short stories. The aim of search for magic things such as buried treasure, fire, stone, flower, leads the characters to happiness, prompting them to realize their own spiritual roots beyond time and space. Looking for their dream the characters of Potushniak’s stories pass the inner way of spiritual formation.  Interpretation of short stories by Fedir Potushniak with regard to their philosophical background contributes to better understanding of the writer’s creative phenomenon. The paper aims to reveal new meanings in Potushniak’s fiction and outlines the aspects of interpreting it within interdisciplinary research.