A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: LINES TO THE IMAGE OF STAFF CAPTAIN RYBNIKOV IN THE STORY OF THE SAME NAME BY A.I. KUPRIN
Is reviewed formation of the image of the enemy in the works on the Russian-Japanese War of 1904-1905 yy. “Incomprehensible” (an expression of V.V. Veresaev) war made of Russian writers in seeking new artistic means capable of adequately showing the nature and significance of the Russian-Japanese War, the image of Russian warrior and the image of the enemy. Based on the image of the “little man” in the sense of a man of small stature, a child, who is used as a metaphor to a number of writers indicating Japanese, A.I. Kuprin when creating the image of the Japanese spy uses semantic codes peculiar to the literary type of the “little man”. This role is necessary for the hero to complete the task. It opens doors for him in state institutions and journalist club. With all the success of the masquerade, captain becomes a hostage of his role. This role moves a plot, therefore even attempt of self-identification Rybnikov is unsuccessful. Genius espionage becomes a victim of traditional conflict “little man” and the state, like their literary counterparts. The motive power of state machine which decides destiny of the captain, in the story is satirically presented by “idol” of the whorehouse, the policeman.