MANIFESTATIONS OF THE OEDIPUS COMPLEX IN ZAREH VORBUNI’S LITERARY WORKS

Abstract

French-Armenian writer Zareh Vorbuni (Eoksuzian) was a descendant of the orphans of the Armenian Genocide. His characters are of the same generation and have much in common with the writer, and often are identified with the author. Vorbuni had a truly symbolic literary pseudonym for his generation (Vorbouni – orphan). According to him, the pseudonym had the Oedipus complex – refusing his own surname, he allegedly “killed” his father, becoming an orphan. The choice of the pseudonym was not accidental, as almost all his fictional characters display Oedipus complex in their relationships. The article studies various manifestations of the Oedipus complex in Z. Vorbuni’s works. His characters are divided into two groups: 1) those who go through all stages of the Oedipus complex during puberty and successfully overcome it; 2) those who untimely overcome the Oedipus complex, or cannot cope with it throughout their lives acquiring pathological psychology. Manifestations of the Oedipus complex are observed in mother – son, father – daughter, mother – daughter and father – son relationships. We have also singled out mother – son – daughter-in-law, mother – son – father, father – daughter – mother, father – daughter – son-in-law, mother – daughter, sister – brother – sister-in-law, elder son – mother – younger son Oedipus triangles, which prove that Vorbuni’s prose was heavily influenced by the Oedipus complex.