MORPHOLOGY OF REALISM IN THE EARLY WRITINGS OF ELIN PELIN

Abstract

Discussing realism in the works of Elin Pelin has always been a subject of importance in the history of Bulgarian literature. It began in 1905, soon after Elin Pelin’s first collection of short stories was published and has not come to an end until today. This article challenges the easy and “self-evident” truth of the idea that Elin Pelin wrote “realistically,” i.e. dutifully representing the real life of his time. On the basis of many examples from different stories it becomes clear, first, how this very idea has come to life, and second, what makes it impossible.