Motif of fallen leaves in Vadim Andreevs poetry and the national tradition

The poetry by Vadim Andreev (1902-1976), an early emigrant of the leading wave, which is still outof researchers attention, is considered in the article. It is significant both from the point of view of studying individual poets strategiesand as a reflection of relevant motifs of Russian poetry, which makes significant allowances in understanding the problems of integraldevelopment of Russian literature of the 20th century. The interpretation of the fallen leaves motif in V. Andreevs poetry is presented inthe article in two aspects: first, its genetic and typological ties with the Russian poetry of the 19th - early 20th centuries are revealed,second, it is analysed in the functional and semantic aspects. Andreev is closest to the layer of Lermontovs ideas (Leaf, 1841) in the19th century poetry. In Andreevs poetry the motif of a leaf driven by wind marks the general emigrant theme of expatriation, homelessnessand loneliness; torn away leaf, on the one hand, is a metaphor of human life; and, on the other hand, it embodies the idea of disconnectionwith historical roots. In the Silver Age the motif of fallen leaves in V. Andreevs poetry is deeply concordant with the understandingof the fall as the end of a life cycle in S. Yesenins poetry. Andreev develops the subject of departure as it is in Yesenins expression,he is in close agreement with Yesenin in the key intent: falling leaves symbolize implacable rules of life. It is claimed that thefallen leaves motif meanings aspects, which were developed in the Russian poetry of the 19th - early 20th centuries, retain in Andreevslyrical frame. At the same time there is a significant broadening of its semantics. The following meanings are pointed out and analysedin the article: 1) it forms existential range of problems, 2) the philosophy of life is expressed with its help, 3) the motif of fallen leaveshas the world modelling role, 4) a falling leaf performs the function of connection with metaphysical reality (a series of A Stroll withB.L. Poplavskiy). Finally, the idea of culture semiosis (the poem Look: the burden dies out but nevertheless it accumulates) is expressedin Andreevs poetry through the motif of fallen leaves. The motif of fallen leaves gains a universal sense in Andreevs lyricalframe, its semantics covers almost all spheres of existence and human life: natural - existential - mental (from the perspective of consciousness,thought) - cultural. The philosophical context is introduced - the book Fallen Leaves (1914) by V. Rozanov. Andreev involuntarybecomes consonant with Rozanov in the idea of a tree, which is developed by the Russian philosopher: a tree both as growth,development, and as roots, as the ground and basis of subsistence of an individual and national culture. The motif of fallen leaves inAndreevs poetry remains the prevailing one from the end of 1920s till 1970s. V. Andreevs poetry fairly carries on the traditions ofRussian literature and appears to be the most Russian branch among early emigrants of the leading wave. The motif of fallen leavesbecomes a means of revelation of poets national identity. Its analysis enables to reveal the deep background of Russian literature, itspsychological and mental components, which the motherland poets and the representatives of Russian emigration in the 20th centurypreserved.

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