THE LITTLE MAN IN AN AGE OF SOCIAL DISASTER (BASED ON A.G. VOLOS'S NOVEL "KHURRAMABAD")

Abstract

This article explores the traditional Russian literary image of the "little man," as portrayed in Andrei Volos's novel "Khurramabad." The work traces the fates of socially vulnerable people in the post-Soviet space. The authors of the article analyze the vectors of development and transformation of the heroes. Through the prism of three key characters – Nizom, Nikolai Yamninov and Rakhmatulla – the work reveals three different paths of existence for the “little man” in an era of catastrophe: Moral degradation and loss of self under the pressure of circumstances; the acquisition of inner resilience and rebellion against the new "masters of life"; spiritual resistance to chaos through fidelity to beauty and creative work.

The article expresses the thesis that A. Volos, developing the classical tradition, demonstrates the versatility and ability of the “little man” not only to be a victim of history, but also to make moral choices, maintain human dignity and grow spiritually in inhumane conditions.