Keyword: «the concept of "time"»

The article provides a comparative study of the concept of "time" in Russian folk tales and contemporary fiction. It notes the greater precision and detail modern authors employ in indicating time, reflecting their higher level of education. However, in folk tales, time is also quite precise and often expressed using numerals denoting large quantities (tens, hundreds). A clear similarity is revealed in the worldviews of people across historical periods: both folk tales and contemporary literature depict time as discrete. Discreteness, as a universal artistic device, allows both ancient and modern authors to focus on significant events, omitting minor details and creating a unique temporal narrative structure. The difference lies in the absence of the characters' internal experience of time in folk tales, while in contemporary literature, internal perception of time is often depicted. The conclusion is drawn about the stability of key components of the worldview and their slow change.