MYTHICAL MOTIFS IN LITERARY WORKS: M. BULGAKOV'S MASTER AND MARGARITA AND G. ORWELL'S 1984

In the present article, an alternative definition of myth is proposed Myth is defined as a dialectic junction of a symbolic and a narrative part. Symbols, or mythical motifs, obtain ever new meanings in a changing context provided by the narrative. Such an understanding of myth finds its use in a so called "mythic reading." This strategy tries to analyze and interpret some pieces of modern literature as myths (symbols and narratives), through concentration on mythical motifs which can be found within them. In this article, it is applied to two famous novels, Bulgakov's Master and Margarita and Orwell's 1984. This way of reading may offer new and challenging interpretations of even well-known and established works. Besides "logical" tools of the literary criticism, it employs reader's/interpreter's imagination. Moreover, it has also theological implications because there are certain parallels between the proposed understanding of myth and the biblical message.