THE ANALYSIS OF THE ARTISTIC PSYCHOLOGY OF THE CHARACTERS IN JULIAN BARNSNING'S "WORLD HISTORY IN 10½ CHAPTERS"

Аннотация

The article is dedicated to analyzing the artistic psychologism of the characters in Julian Barnes' book A History of the World in 10½ Chapters. The author examines Barnes' unique narrative structure and use of polyphony to reveal the inner worlds of the characters and their emotional experiences. The focus is on the psychological motivations of the characters, their perception of historical and personal events, and the author's approach to interpreting moral and philosophical issues through the lens of human experience. Special attention is given to the relationship between the fragmentation of the text and the multifaceted nature of perspectives, which allows for a deeper understanding of the subtleties of human psychology and the complexity of perceiving the world. Keywords: Julian Barnes, artistic psychologism, characters and their perception, depth of images, inner world of the characters, psychological portraits, emotional conflicts, themes and motifs of the work, philosophical reflections, historical context, personal development of the characters. АНАЛИЗ ХУДОЖЕСТВЕННОЙ ПСИХОЛОГИИ ПЕРСОНАЖЕЙ В ПРОИЗВЕДЕНИИ ДЖУЛИАНА БАРНСНИНГА «ВСЕМИРНАЯ ИСТОРИЯ В 10½ ГЛАВАХ» Аннотация. Статья посвящена анализу художественной психологии персонажей в произведении Джулиана Барнсинга «История мира в 10½ главах». Автор рассматривает уникальную повествовательную структуру и использование Барнсом полифонии для раскрытия внутреннего мира персонажей и их переживаний. Основное внимание уделяется психологическим мотивам персонажей, восприятию ими исторических и личных событий, а также подходу автора к интерпретации моральных и философских проблем через призму человеческого опыта. Особое внимание уделяется взаимосвязи фрагментарности текста и многогранности перспектив, что позволяет глубже понять тонкости человеческой психологии и сложность восприятия мира. Ключевые слова: Джулиан Барнс, художественный психологизм, персонажи и их восприятие, глубина образов, внутренний мир персонажей, психологические портреты, 1350 ResearchBib IF - 11.01, ISSN: 3030-3753, Volume 2 Issue 2 душевные конфликты, темы и мотивы произведения, философские размышления, исторический контекст, личностное развитие персонажей. Introduction—Published in 1989, A History of the World in 10½ Chapters is classified as a work of postmodern literature. Julian Barnes employs a fragmented narrative structure, blending historiographic storytelling with speculative fiction. This structure reflects the plurality and subjectivity of historical interpretations. Through themes such as survival, myth-making, and the nature of storytelling, Barnes invites readers to reconsider how history is written and understood. The British writer Julian Barnes adopts a unique approach to reexamining history in A History of the World in 10½ Chapters, connecting various epochs and events through imagined narratives and reflections. This novel is a complex and multifaceted work in which the author employs diverse styles and perspectives, merging elements of satire, philosophy, literature, and historical analysis. From a psychological perspective, the novel explores several key themes, including the perception of truth, individual and collective emotions, and humanity's confrontation with the infinite. The novel’s unconventional structure—eschewing a traditional chronological narrative in favor of 10½ chapters—serves as a deliberate challenge to conventional historiographical principles. While each chapter functions as an independent story, recurring motifs and thematic coherence unify the text. The History of the World in 10½ Chapters is an intellectually rich and multi-layered novel in which Barnes reflects on the nature of history and truth. Each chapter, though independently structured, is tied to the overarching concept that history is not an objective and coherent narrative but rather a collection of interpretations, personal perceptions, and cultural contexts. Barnes draws upon various historical periods, myths, religious texts, and personal accounts to demonstrate how events can be interpreted differently depending on the perspective taken. For instance, in the first chapter, the story of Noah’s Ark is retold from the perspective of a woodworm, offering an alternative view of the biblical account. The concluding half-chapter consists of philosophical reflections on love, happiness, and the human experience. The novel’s style is characterized by a balance of irony, depth, and lightness. Barnes skillfully plays with format and genre, confronting readers with questions about what we accept as truth and how history is shaped in our collective consciousness. Chapter 1: The History of the Ark 1351 ResearchBib IF - 11.01, ISSN: 3030-3753, Volume 2 Issue 2 The novel’s opening chapter is based on the biblical legend of Noah and explores issues of fate, faith, and human morality. As the central figure, Noah represents humanity’s struggle for survival in the face of a global catastrophe. Psycho