Winter as a Marker in Tove Jansson’s Works

Abstract

The author of the article addresses the characteristics of winter, which differ from other seasons in Tove Jansson’s works. These characteristics enhance the conclusion that winter as a season has its special dimensions and meaning that go beyond the description of it as merely a season. The discussion is played out on several levels of describing winter as physical, psychological, metaphorical, chronotopical, and cultural phenomenon. Such analysis provides an opportunity to reinstate the emotional impact of winter that is not directly addressed in the author’s text. The leading methodological device that is used in the analysis is “the marker” — the term taken from the study of linguistics that identifies not the immediate description of the subject but rather to its indirect qualities identified in the text. Various methodological tools are employed to outline the strategy in the analysis of the text: among them are critical analysis of the literary texts, reflections on literary criticism, etc. The main focus of the article is on the research dealing with philosophical applications to children’s literature.

Keywords: children’s literature, winter, moomintrolls, chronotop, Karelianizm, marker, depression, Tove Jansson