Biblical allusions and reminiscences as a tool for semantic expansion of the plot of a literary work
https://doi.org/10.25587/2222-5404-2026-23-2-174-186
Abstract
The article analyzes the role of biblical allusions and reminiscences in F. Herbert's science fiction novel “Dune”, and also examines how these text inclusions expand the plot of the work. The relevance of this study is due to the increased frequency of the use of biblical allusions in the plots of works of fiction, as well as the need for correct decoding of this linguistic phenomenon in the text in order to more accurately convey biblical references when translating works into a foreign language. The purpose of this work is to study the role of biblical allusions and reminiscences as tools for the semantic expansion of the plot of the novel “Dune”. Within the framework of this work, it is proposed to analyze how these motifs complement and complicate the narrative, create intertextual connections and enhance its philosophical content. The research material was the book of the New Testament – the Revelation of John the Theologian and the science fiction novel by F. Herbert's “Dune”. The methodology is based on an integrated approach combining methods of comparative analysis, contextual analysis of the work, and linguistic analysis of the text. The results of the study revealed that Roman F. Herbert's “Dune” is not only a large-scale work in which religious motifs and biblical allusions occupy a special place, but also the fact that the use of biblical allusions and reminiscences contributes to the formation of a mythopoetic background, which reveals themes of fate, power, foresight and salvation. The results of this study can be applied in the study of the disciplines “Linguistic analysis and interpretation of literary text”, “Foreign literature”, and the study can also be useful in analyzing the role of biblical texts in the construction of artistic images in a work and their impact on fiction in general. The prospects for further research are to use the developed techniques in further analyzing the role of biblical allusions in F. Herbert's science fiction novel “Dune”, as well as in expanding the theoretical understanding of the semantic levels laid down by the author of the work.
About the Authors
N. N. OlomskayaRussian Federation
Natalya N. Olomskaya – Doctor of Sci. (Philology), Associate Professor, Professor of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education Kuban State University.
Krasnodar
S. F. Agazhanyan
Russian Federation
Sonya F. Agazhanyan – lecturer of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education Kuban State University.
Krasnodar
References
1. Akhmanova OS. Dictionary of linguistic terms. Moscow: Librocom; 2025:576 (in Russ.).
2. Gubbenet IV. Fundamentals of philological interpretation of literary and artistic text. Moscow: Librikom; 2020:208 (in Russ.)
3. Barth R. Selected works. Semiotics. Poetics. Moscow: Progress; 1993:616 (in Russ.).
4. Vladimirova NG. Conventionality, creating the world: Poetics of conditional forms in the modern British novel: Veliky Novgorod: Novgorod State University; 2001:269 (in Russ.).
5. Durishin D. Theory of Comparative literature studies: Moscow: Progress; 1979:320 (in Russ.).
6. Koryazhkina OV. The role of vertical context and various types of intertextuality in the linguistic and poetic analysis of a work of art. Journal collection of scientific works of Krasec. The humanities. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsk, 2019;2 (34):19-26 (in Russ.).
7. Magedanz S. Allusion as Form: The Waste Land and Moulin Rouge! California: California State University: San Bernardino Press; 2006;2(62):160-179.
8. Naptsok BR. Allusions in English “Gothic” texts. Bulletin of the Adygea State University. Series: Philology and Arts. 2016;4:173–179 (in Russ.).
9. Akhmanova OS, Gyubbenet IV. “Vertical context” as a philological problem. Moscow: Moscow State University; 1991:108 (in Russ.).
10. Khachmafova ZR, Luchinskaya EN. Intertextuality as a reflection of the linguistic and cultural consciousness of the female linguistic personality. Bulletin of the Adygea State University. Series: Philology and the Arts. 2012;2 (2):261-267. (in Russ.).
11. Tukhareli MD. Allusion in the system of an artistic work. Candidate’s dissertation (Philology). Tbilisi: 1984:168 (in Russ)
12. Mamaeva AG. Linguistic nature and stylistic functions of allusion (based on the material of the English language). Candidate’s dissertation (Philology). Moscow: 1977:197. (in Russ.).
13. Polubichenko LV. Towards the substantiation and development of the concept of vertical philological context: Summary of Candidate’s dissertation (for the job learned. Degrees. Candidate of Philological Sciences). Moscow: 1979:23 (in Russ.).
14. Mashkova LA. Allusivity as a category of vertical context. Bulletin of the Moscow University. Philology series. 1989;2(9):25-33. (in Russ.).
15. Jacob F. The Orientalist Semiotics of Dune: Religious and Historical References within Frank Herbert’s Universe: Norway, Nord University: Marburg; 2022:118.
16. Herbert Frank. Dune. New York: Berkley Publishing Corporation; 2021: 294.
17. The Bible. Books of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Moscow: Eksmo; 2021:1222 (in Russ.).
18. Herbert F. Dune / translated from English by Y. R. Sokolov. Moscow: AST; 2020:768 (in Russ.).
Review
For citations:
Olomskaya N.N., Agazhanyan S.F. Biblical allusions and reminiscences as a tool for semantic expansion of the plot of a literary work. Vestnik of North-Eastern Federal University. 2026;23(2):174-186. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25587/2222-5404-2026-23-2-174-186
JATS XML















