THE LINGUOSTYLISTIC PECULIARITIES OF THE CONCEPT OF “CHILDHOOD” IN “KONRAD ODER DAS KIND AUS DER KONSERVENBÜCHSE” BY СHRISTINE NÖSTLINGE

Abstract

The article aims to analyze the content, functions and dynamics of the concept of “childhood” in Christine Nöstlinger’s work. Based on the original German text, we have identified the main themes, motifs and imagery determined by this concept in “Konrad oder Das Kind aus der Konservenbüchse”. The postmodernist concept of “childhood” and the related themes of C. Nöstlinger’s work have been revealed. The influence of the “childhood” concept on the characters and the author’s image has been noted, and the linguistic and stylistic peculiarities of C. Nöstlinger’s work have been investigated. The article also explores the writer’s traditions and innovations, along with the importance of the characters she created for the understanding of current events and the development of literary fiction. Growing up and finding one’s place in the world is one of the central themes in C. Nöstlinger’s “Konrad oder Das Kind aus der Konservenbüchse”, explicated through the prism of a fantastic plot. Not only does the concept of “childhood” reflect individual traits of a particular child (or group of children), but it also encompasses the collective experience of children as a broad social category, mirroring their thoughts, feelings and concerns. At the same time, this concept includes demands and expectations applied by society (namely parents and teachers) to children: the duty to obey their parents, study well, follow the rules of etiquette etc. The combination of individual psychological traits and social aspects within the concept of “childhood” has defined a particular lexical-semantic field within the literary work. In her work, C. Nöstlinger uses binary positions, elements of fiction, contrasts, authorial interventions, different points of view on the hero/heroine and reality, integration of elements of literary language and dialect, etc. The fantastical collisions found in C. Nöstlinger’s plot are based on real phenomena and relationships in today’s society. Apart from traditional motif-theme frameworks which are typically related to the concept of “childhood” (“family”, “friendship”, “duty”, “studying”), the author addresses topical social problems like bullying, gender issues, the reshaping of family values and roles in Austria etc, thus broadening the spectrum of meanings associated with this concept. Not only does C. Nöstlinger’s work testify to the development of postmodernism, but it also showcases possible scenarios of “transcending” irony, defragmentation and identity crisis – by introducing the category of hope, and relying on creativity, friendship and love.