Pregledni rad
Glagolitic-coded numeric and symbolic combinations in the novel Az by Jasna Horvat
Andrijana Kos-Lajtman
; Učiteljski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Odsjek u Čakovcu - Čakovec
Sažetak
The novel Az by Jasna Horvat, with Glagolitic alphabet in the core of its thematic, structural, conceptual and ludic concept, is characterized by creative games at various discoursive levels. An important place in such an approach belongs to numeric symbolism, which is used in multiple ways at different textual levels and in all parts of the novel. By combining numeric, alphabetic and symbolic coding of Glagolitic alphabet with the complex structure of the novel, the quality of fragments of each part, but also the mosaic quality within chapters, the author is building numeric and symbolic combinations corresponding to the semantic code of the Glagolitic script. Numeric and symbolic permutations are included at the semantic level in all chapters, but also the particular recurring motifs, into a coded network in which a certain chapter, character or situation has a designated place, defined by the symbolism of Glagolitic numerology. The complex structure of the novel can be expressed through a mathematical formula 4+1, where number four may be viewed through traditional symbolism of arrangement in the world, through Christian symbolism of four Gospels, through the concept of a quadrant planning field, as well as through the symbolism of a rosette/mandala based on the geometry of a square and circle, the relationship of quaternity and trinity, the human and divine. By means of the concept of a game called the Mill, the numeric structure of the novel imposes itself as being crucial – through the model of transforming a trigonal game into a tetragonal, through nine intersections and nine ‘mill’ stones corresponding to nine chapters in the first three parts of the novel, with nine ones, tenths and hundreds, and, on the symbolic level, to the number of Glagolitic characters expressing the basic message of the Glagolitic script, and to the century when it originated. The paper brings a typology of unique numeric and symbolic permutations coding the discourse in multiple ways, thus creating an interesting postmodernist and modernist amalgam comprising the playability of the form and the content’s insistence on the system traditionally oriented towards the cognition – of religion, philosophy and science.
Ključne riječi
novel Az; numeric and symbolic combinations; permutations; postmodernism
Hrčak ID:
174605
URI
Datum izdavanja:
1.12.2011.
Posjeta: 1.093 *