Despite its originality, 'Viy', a narrative by Gogol, is in full compliance with the classical concepts of a literary work, which should include several levels of understanding. So, in Dante's 'Convivio' four types on interpretation are singled out - literal, allegorical, moral and anagogical (the super-meaning of a literary work). 'Viy' can be read as a fairy tale (literal interpretation), as a metaphor of a person who has lost his way in life (allegorical and moral meanings), as well as a symbol of the world's incognizability (anagogical meaning).
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