I WENT OUT TO HAVE FUN AND ENDED IN A FUNERAL: THE MENIPPEAN SATIRE, THE FANTASTIC AND THE DIALOGISM, IN THE TALE “BOBÓK”, BY DOSTOYEVSKY

Abstract

This article intends to perform a rereading of the short story “Bobók” (1873) by the Russian writer Dostoyevsky, in the light of the concepts of Menipeia satire, the fantastic, the laughter and the dialogism. Written by the author, at first, as a rebuttal to the critcisms uttered after the publication of The Demons (1871), as well as to have freedom to express himself both on literature and on matters pertaining to that time, this narrative brings to light fundamental issues that emerged in Russian society, through na unusual dialogue between the dead, which has, as a privileged listener a failed writer, who, going out looking for distraction, by chance, will atend the funeral of a distant relative.  The construction of this narrative, with hight critical content about the Russian aristocracy of the nineteenth century, entering the universe of the menipeia and the fantastic, arousing laughter, before a heated conversation, is permeated by important revelations, which brings as consequences the Discovery of ordinary and personal facts, but also serious complaints,such as corruption among the authorities.