Contamination as a means of realization of the principle of palimpsest (a case study of T. Pratchett’s works)

Abstract

The model of literary palimpsest originally expressed by G. Genette gave a new perspective on the links existing between texts. Using the notion of palimpsest in its metaphorical meaning as a hierarchy of texts shining through each other, be it different versions of the same text or texts intersecting in the common narrative space, is of essential value now, when under the influence of the globalization mass culture has made its way into all spheres of human life, including literary one, and a text may consist of not only literary texts but also those of the cinema and even music. Particular attention is to be paid to identifying and analyzing devices aimed at the realization of the principle of palimpsest. In this respect of special interest is contamination, which allows the model of palimpsest to function not only on the level of the plot but also on that of lexical-stylistic means, illustrating V. Shklovsky’s idea of the unity of the devices of style and those of plot construction. Making a case study of the comic fantasy series by the modern English writer Terry Pratchett, the article considers the examples of using contamination in creating the palimpsest fabric of the written work and sums up the effects it is used for.