THE BOTANICAL CODE IN K. J. ERBEN’S COLLECTION KYTICE (BOUQUET)

Abstract

K. J. Erben creates a fictional world that „grows“ on a folkloric and mythological foundation, which the author „assimilates“ and „integrates“ to transform it into a personal literary experience. The characters are in a constant relationship withthe botanical world. In his texts there are references to floral and arboreal species which turn out to be full-fledged participants in communicative situations. The abundance of such references testifies to man's close relationship with nature and guides us to a consciousness permeated by floral images in order to refer to and present human qualities. In the collection of ballads Kytice (Bouquet) the world of plants functions at various literary levels – from a detail in the overall epic storyline to an expanded image and a symbolic key for the accomplishment of literary meaning.