Zhao Yuyan
yyvette@126.com
Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing, China
Carnivalization of V. Mayakovsky’s theatrical world
Abstract: The article is devoted to the problem of carnivalization of the theatrical world of V. Mayakovsky. The
theoretical basis of this article is the theory of carnivalization of literature by M. Bakhtin. Carnival as a sociocultural
phenomenon intensified in Russia in the 1920s, and the carnivalized worldview was especially clearly manifested both
in life and in art. The V. Mayakovsky Theater is a typical example of the carnivalization of Soviet culture. The plays
“Mystery Bouffe”, “The Bug” and “Bath” by Mayakovsky not only contain such carnival scenes as a market, a wedding, etc.,
carnivalization even becomes the structure-forming basis and determines the chronotope of the theater. The destruction of
the fourth wall of the theater was an important theatrical experiment by Mayakovsky in a new era to appeal to the people.
Understanding the carnival origins of Mayakovsky’s theater allows us to understand the author’s attitude to the social
system after the October Revolution, as well as his aesthetic views. The carnivalization of V. Mayakovsky’s theatrical world
occurs under the social atmosphere, which at the same time meets the artistic goals of the playwright i.e. exposing the
shortcomings of reality and expressing faith in the future.
Keywords: V. Mayakovsky, carnivalization, M. Bakhtin, de-crowning, crowning, carnival chronotope.
Paper submitted: October 3, 2023.
For citation: Zhao Yuyan (2023) Carnivalization of V. Mayakovsky’s theatrical world. Russian Journal of Social
Sciences and Humanities, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 21–28. DOI: 10.57015/issn1998-5320.2023.17.4.2
