I. YAKOVLEV CHUVASH STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY BULLETIN

symbolism, concept, French literature, railway station, railroad, image

The article presents a symbolic interpretation of the image of the railway station in French literature. On the basis of the analysis of works of French literature containing the image of the train station, this image is revealed as a symbol of freedom, change and transience, the key meanings in this context are revealed. Symbolism is an important element of French literature. Railway stations played a significant role in it, both as a setting and as a symbol. In the novels of G. Flaubert, E. Zola, M. Barbery, G. Simenon, J. Verne, P. Modiano, the railway station is a symbol of changing times and a symbol of characters' anxiety before the road leading from the frightening present to the unknown future. In connection with the reorganisation of urban space since the mid-nineteenth century, the railway station becomes a vivid example of a world in the process of transformation, which cannot but be reflected in literature. Random and unexpected encounters take place here. If at the beginning of its history the railway station, located on the outskirts and consisting of two parts - stone and iron - served as a border between the city and the space beyond, the modern railway station is a multifunctional space, often located almost in the city centre. Epochs change, but the railway station is still a symbol of change. At the railway station, a hero gains an opportunity to choose a path, decide on changes in destiny and take the first step towards these changes by stepping on the footboard of the train. The image of the railway station emphasizes the transient nature of life. It is both a place of expectation and intrigue. At the same time, it is the apex of the development of modern technologies and progress as well. The study allows us to conclude about the deep semantic content of the image of the railway station in French literature and the stability and universality of its symbolism.

Metelkova, Lilia Aleksandrovna – Candidate of Pedagogics, Head of the Department of Foreign Languages and Professional Communication, Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, Moscow, Russia, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9947-1344, lilia.metelkova@gmail.com

Danielyan, Мery Georgievna – Candidate of Philology, Head of the Department of Russian as a Foreign Language, Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, Moscow, Russia, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0585-8765, daniel_mg@list.ru

Gordeeva, Natalia Gennadyevna – Candidate of Pedagogics, Associate Professor of the Department of European Languages and Linguodidactics, I. Yakovlev CHSPU, Cheboksary, Russia, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6786-9291, gord1307@list.ru