Space imagery in L. Rivera's "Snake catcher"

The study of spatial images in a literary work, as part of the author's individual world view, provides an opportunity for us to comprehend the philosophical and parable components of the plot. The article discusses the features of traditional spatial symbols in Russian writer L. Rivera's novel "Snake Catcher", many of which are seen as mythologemes (desert, labyrinth, sky). These images symbolize the stages the hero goes through to realize his destiny (the desert symbolizes the house, the labyrinth - his choice, the sky - freedom). Also, the writer creates a system of his own, idiosyncratic symbols in the text: the City (the temptation by wealth and professional perfection), the Town (idyllic friendship and a place to relax from work), the Little Village (the unattained future, lost love), the Dead City (trials and disasters). The allegory shown through spatial images is very important in the novel: only after having lost everything in pursuit of professional success, a person begins to appreciate life to a full extent.