A COMMON CASE: A ‘DIALOGUE’ BETWEEN GONCHAROV AND SCRIBE

Abstract

The article suggests that I. Goncharov’s A Common Story [Obyknovennaya istoriya] is founded on the principles typical of E. Scribe’s works. The hypothesis opens up a new way for interpretation of Goncharov’s novel. The comparative analysis is only logical due to the allusions found in A Common Story: both the title and the main character’s name remind the reader of the Russian adaptation of Scribe’s comedy A Common Case [Simple Histoire].Goncharov’s novel ends in an unexpected (at least, at first sight) development: in the Epilogue, the characters (the uncle and nephew Aduev) experience a complete personality change, with the sensitive youth becoming a cynic, and the calculating businessman of an uncle suddenly giving up his career for his ailing wife. On close examination, it is clear that the final transformation had been carefully prepared by the author – much like in Scribe’s comedies. An observant reader may notice that Goncharov’s characters are not who they seem: neither to people around them, nor to themselves. Their words contradicting their actions and intentions, the two heroes are finally unmasked in the Epilogue. The paper proceeds to state that Goncharov employs the comedic device of quiproquo to solve the philosophical problem of ‘know thyself’, and that his hiding of the clues to the novel’s true meaning is an example of narrative irony.