«Parapis'ma» v «Zoo» V.B. Šklovskogo. Paratekstual'nye «porogi» kak narušenija ėpistoljarnogo kodeksa

This article explores the experimental structure of Viktor Shklovsky’s epistolary novel «Zoo, or Letters Not About Love», focusing on the interplay between letters and «paraletters» (inserted «prologues»). The author investigates Shklovsky’s mechanisms for deconstructing and renewing the canonical epistolary genre, highlighting his disruption of traditional literary codes. The study begins with an analysis of Grigory Vinokur’s commentary, which notes the lack of adherence to established literary traditions in Shklovsky’s works. Drawing comparisons with Laurence Sterne’s texts, the article argues that Shklovsky deliberately manipulates the epistolary form by introducing paraletters that serve as metalinguistic devices, enhancing irony and parody. These inserted texts not only comment on and confirm the primary letters but also subvert their semantic and formal conventions. A key focus of the research is the polyphonic nature of the novel, which emerges from the dynamic interaction between letters and paraletters. The author demonstrates how Shklovsky reassigns traditional roles in romantic correspondence, presenting the female character as a rational commentator and the male protagonist as a passionate lover. Particular attention is paid to the inversion of semantic clichés and the caricature-like subversion of epistolary elements, including hyperboles, puns, and distortions. The analysis is limited to the first Berlin edition of the novel and concentrates on three primary aspects of the interplay between letters and paraletters: (1) manipulation of letter dates and locations, (2) inclusion of letters addressed to third parties, and (3) the polyphony and interweaving of voices.