The literary intrigue for and against Aristotle

The paper is devoted to the study of historical and cultural changes, which Aristotle's notion on the literary intrigue experienced. The author demonstrates the concept of the intrigue in the very beginning of its evolution has had to explain the whole story, provided with causes and consequences framework. The goal of the mimesis is catharsis, i.e. the deep inner experience, influencing the human mind. The further development of the European art and literature; the history of its studying, followed, as it has been demonstrated in the paper, Aristotle's way of evocative considering of the narrative, (evocative means here provoking compassion). However, since the beginning of the twentieth century modernism and postmodernism have destroyed the structure of narrative by means of the chaotic phantasy. It is also important, that the modern-day interpretations let disappear the emotional connection of the audience to the contents of the masterpiece. The destruction of the inner logic of the masterpiece is tied to the negation of the reality as such. The author thinks, none present-day experiments concerning literary work could cancel its cathartic nature; in conclusion, they merely have to remain aside.