Duality in the novel “Fingersmith” by S. Waters

The article considers the problem of duality in the novel “Fingersmith” by S. Waters. We come to the conclusion that this novel needs a multidimensional analysis, and cannot be interpreted only through feminist concepts. In the novel, different manifestations of the duality of two female protagonists combine elements of various genre configurations presented in the text (a detective novel, a historical novel, an intellectual novel), thus providing the integrity of the text and the possibility of its coherent interpretation. Duality is manifested as a sequential change of points of view, which deconstructs various genre models and ideological concepts: in particular, the model of a realistic novel, the understanding of character as determined by the environment, as well as the idea of the domination of the cultured consciousness are deconstructed through duality, this provokes the effect of distrust of the cultural text. The protagonists represent both the naive consciousness and the consciousness of culture, at the same time remaining limited by their own points of view and do not have a broad vision. The duality of characters also prescribes the postmodern idea of the impossibility of distinguishing between fiction and reality, this impression is reinforced by the indis-tinguishability of the dual characters. Meanwhile, their love line links various aspects of the text, becoming its ideological dominant. Employing duality for depicting the protagonists’ intimate experiences emphasizes the possibility of communication with the other through the game perception of their identity, as well as crossing various discursive borders.