The article analytically examines the architectonics and composition of A.I. Ertel's novel “Gardeniny: their mongrels, adherents and enemies”. Taking into account the interpretation of these terms by leading scientists, their interpretation is carried out in relation to the selected work. Special attention is paid to the position of the writer and its reflection in the artistic world of the novel, the rapprochements and repulsions of Ertel and his autobiographical hero. The structure of the novel is analyzed, the key compositional elements are described, much attention is paid to the points of view of the characters and the sounding voices that are important in the formation of the main character Nikolai Rachmannyj. For the first time in literary criticism, a deep interpretation of the title of the work is given, the ironic meaning contained in it is analyzed. The conflict of generations in the novel is shown, which as a whole flows into the opposition of two understandings and worldviews. Special attention is paid in the article to the speech of those characters who hold a position different from that of the narrator. It is demonstrated that when creating the novel, Ertel moved away from the theme of “a nest of gentlefolk” stated in the title, switching the spectrum of his attention to the fate of
the heroes of the “lower classes”, putting the focus not on the Gardenins, but on the attitude to the Gardenins.
For citation: Smirnova I.Yu. Features of the architectonics of the novel by A.I. Ertel “Gardenins, their servants, supporters and enemies”, Ivanovo State University Bulletin, Series: Humanities, 2024, Special issue, pp. 71—81.