The trickster as a savior

Statement of the problem. In a number works of modern literature, the image of the trickster has a paradoxical embodiment being connected with the biblical theme of creation and salvation. The purpose of the article is to analyze the image of the trickster in the 21st century novels, conflicting with the tradition of depicting a hero with trickster roots characteristic of classical literature. Review of scholarly literature on the issue. The scientific literature on the opposition ‘cultural hero - trickster’ is extensive. The literary image, the archetypal basis of which is a trickster in its creative function, is also represented in scientific research, but the works that made up the material of the article have not been studied in this perspective. Methodology (materials and methods). The article refers to The Goldfinch by D. Tartt (2013), The Gospel of Loki (2016), and The Testament of Loki (2018) by J. Harris. The research methodology is based on the Jungian concept of the development of the trickster motif, including also the elements of immanent, comparative, and hermeneutic approaches. Research results. In the novels under study, two motifs unite the images of heroes with a trickster basis: tragic origin and the realization of the saving function.