The Light as a Central Symbol in V. Voiculescu’s Zahei orbul / Zahei the Blind - Acta Universitatis Sapientiae

Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, Philologica, 16, 3 (2024) 189–202

DOI: 10.47745/ausp-2024-0040

Abstract. Our paper discusses the way in which one of the Orthodox symbols present in Vasile Voiculescu’s novel, Zahei Orbul / Zahei the Blind, the light, reflects the others and helps the reader to see the depths of the author’s work. In order to do that, we see the symbol of light’s meaning as anagogical, as it was seen by the Hesychasts, especially Saint Gregory Palamas. In addition, we are using Jean-Claude Marion’s concept of intuitively saturated phenomenon, as the novel could be perceived as an icon by the reader who is able to contemplate it through its symbols. Seeing the novel as an icon could also happen because, according to Constantin Jinga, Voiculescu’s style of writing, on some levels, is similar to that of the authors of the Midrash.

Keywords: light, Orthodox symbols, icon, double saturated phenomenon, Romanian literature