GIRL – WOMAN – ELDERLY WOMAN: THE EMBODIMENTS OF CORPOREALITY IN SOFIIA ANDRUKHOVYCH’S NOVEL «CATANANCHE»

Abstract

In contemporary literary studies, the influence of culture on individual corporeality remains a pressing area of research. Thus, the article explores the representation of the female body within the literary space. Fiction frequently reflects dominant narratives of bodily representation, wherein corporeality is portrayed as a vulnerable aspect of female identity, and characters’ lives appear dictated by the body’s influence. Sofiia Andrukhovych’s novel «Catananche» exemplifies this approach.The novel presents three distinct female archetypes, each with a unique personal history conveyed through familial and social relationships. The author emphasizes the differences in sociocultural age models, where corporeality plays a crucial role in shaping personal identity.Taiia’s character is framed within the paradigm of coming of age, where the physical transformation of adolescence becomes a defining factor and serves as a marker of emotional expression. Her character’s development unfolds as she navigates life’s challenges, with human biology intricately interwoven with psychological depth.For Lesia, youth is a central value, shaping a narrative centered on a woman’s struggle with aging. In a culture that idealizes health and youth, she turns to artificial means to maintain her appearance. Here, corporeality is presented as a mechanism of female subjugation, leading to psychological trauma that manifests as an obsessive preoccupation with physical appearance.Zhanna’s character is portrayed through the lens of sexuality. As an older woman, she rekindles her erotic experience, rebelling against established social values and gender stereotypes. The author seeks to reframe aging, positioning it as a natural and integral process of human transformation.