The character of the pauper in Yuri Olesha's narratives

The article analyzes the plot and meta-plot functions performed by the pauper character in Yuri Olesha's fiction («Envy», «The List of Good Deeds» and «In the World»). The pauper's semantic potential is revealed through interpreting publicist texts (speeches, articles) and diary notes. The problem of an unfinished text is illustrated by excerpts and drafts of the so-called «novel about a pauper». The author of the article investigates the causes interfering with the realization of the storyline of the pauper in the narration.