Axial symbols in the novels by L.N. Tolstoy and I.S. Turgenev

The article investigates the axial symbolism in Tolstoy`s and Turgenev`s novels: «War and Peace» and «Rudin». The axial symbolism is based on symbols such as «tree», «barricade», «hill», «dam», «saber», «river», «road» and on the vexillology symbolism. Functions of the «banner symbol» and functions of other axial symbols are similar in the novels. The hypothesis governing this approach is that axial symbolism determines the main idea and the structure of the image. Tolstoi`s and Turgenev`s heroes - Rudin and Prince Andrei - both are associated with the sublime.