Family conflict and the poetics of memory in Ulitskaya's novel «Medea and her children»

Abstract

This article explores Lyudmila Ulitskaya’s novel «Medea and Her Children» through the lens of family conflict as a mechanism for memory reconstruction. The analysis focuses on the transformation of the mythological figure of Medea into a unifying force within the family, embodying forgiveness, care, and spiritual resilience. The study examines the spatial and temporal structure of the novel, in which Medea’s house functions as a sacred center that connects generations and ensures cultural continuity. Special attention is given to the symbolism of memory, the transmission of family stories, and rituals that reflect the characters’ identities. The methodology combines semiotic and mythological analysis with the theories of collective memory by Maurice Halbwachs and philosophical concepts by Karl Jaspers. The article concludes that family conflicts in the novel serve not as a destructive force but as a means of strengthening identity and the link between past and present. The study highlights the novel’s significance within the context of contemporary Russian literature, mythopoetics, and literary interpretations of memory.