Semantic identification of the novel “Evgenia Ivanovna” by Leonid Leonov

The prose by Leonid Leonov exemplifies the dialogue of the writer with literary and cultural formations of the past. Artistic thinking of the writer is oriented towards the potentiality of discursive combinations, as well as the expression of his authorial position. The object of this research is the novel “Evgenia Ivanovna”, which is structured on the principle of condensation of intertextual references. The subject of this research is the versatile type of narration of the prose writer of the XX century. He implements the plot of the text by means of constructive dialogue with classic literature. Research methodology synthesizes the verges of intertextual, structural, conceptual, hermeneutical, and comparative approaches. Reception of the novel “Evgenia Ivanovna” becomes more complicated with the course of historical time. The philosophy of Leonov’s text consists in relative simplicity. Specificity of the novel lies in finding a compromise solution. The author suggestively intertwines fates of the characters into a single large event, which affects the entire country. The formulated conclusions specify the scale of the persona of Leonid Leonov in literary process of the XX century. This material may be valuable for further research on the specificity of Russian classic literature.