"TESTING OF FAITH" IN ANDREI PLATONOV'S SHORT NOVEL DZHAN

The article analyzes Andrei Platonov’ short novel Dzan and sees the concept of an "act of faith" as the central element of its plot. The article provides evidence that the idea of socialism, being refracted through the Zoroastrian myth, is ?tested? in the story for strength and genuineness. As a result, this ?test? reveals Christian subtext in the novel, with the main character not accepting utilitarian earthly Paradise, where there is no free will, and where love to one's neighbor is contrasted with love to the distant humanity. At the end of the novel two evangelical commandments are mentioned ? ?not by bread alone? and ?love thy neighbor?. In the late 1920’s ? the middle of the 1930's Andrei Platonov comes up with his own idea of ?soul’s socialism?, trying to reconcile the irreconcilable ? the Christian ideal and socialism.