PECULIARITIES OF CONSTRUCTING THE SPACE OF ADOLESCENCE IN J. M. G. LE СLEZIO'S COLLECTION ‘SPRING AND OTHER SEASONS’

Abstract

The article examines the peculiarities of constructing the space of adolescence on the example of the fates of female characters by J. M. G. Le Clézio. The research is based on the short stories of the collection ‘Spring and Other Seasons’ (1989), which has not previously been the object of our study. It has been emphasized that J. M. G. Le Clézio aims to show different fates of characters with different national identities to illustrate the search for self through overcoming the loneliness of teenage girls. It has been stated that the writer constructs an antinomy ‘there’ (in a happy childhood, in the homeland) and ‘here’ (in adolescence to adulthood, in emigration, in a big city, in a foreign Europe). The national identity of the female characters is a marker of naturalness in opposition to the European identity, which is constrained by civilised behavioural frameworks (Moroccan, Gypsy, Arab, Jewish). As J. M. G. Le Clézio is a well-known newrousseauist, it has been proved that civilizational restrictions function as an oppression of the naturalness of the personality, the so-called ‘light of childhood’, so female characters stand out for their purity, naturalness, sexuality, and corporeality. The space of adolescence turns out to be a space of overcoming challenges to find identity. The symbolism of the title of the collection has been stated, as the writer seeks to give the characters a chance for joy and renewal in spring. The symbolic objects-attributes of happiness have been identified: a book, Lassie the dog, a starry night, recovery, fictitious names, eyes, hair, smell, orange. On the example of the characters of girls-teenagers the markers of childhood and adolescence have been highlighted: carelessness, suffering, rebellion, loneliness, escape-wandering, search for identity and the desire to live. The main topoi of childhood and adolescence are identified: from the joyful, open space of nature to the city, the apartment as a topos of oppression. The circularity of the characters' geographic movement has proved to be an important element for finding identity.