Representation of the cultural category of sinfulness in the work of A. N. Radishchev «Angel of darkness»

The article deals with the actualisation of the cultural category of sinfulness in the work of A. N. Radishchev, namely in the work «Angel of Darkness», which is an excerpt from the unfinished poem «Ermak». The category under study is represented through the image of a demon, embodying evil and sin. The main attributes contributing to the creation of the image of the evil spirit are defined: giant size, repulsive appearance, merciless unstoppable power, surrounding him darkness and mortal cold, hellfire of lightning and red hot iron. Individual sins associated with the image under study are revealed: flattery, deceit, greed, envy, pride. The actions of the dark angel, rampaging in rage, are aimed at destroying the natural (tectonic catastrophe) and social order (rebellion). The analysis of the work allowed us to establish the nature of the poem’s rhythm, which can be called prayerful due to the use of an appropriate ornamental syntactic pattern. The study of the features of the work, as well as the image described in it, made it possible to understand that the Christian religious ideas of the author, represent the background cultural knowledge characteristic of the era contemporary to him.