Hermeneutics of Old Russian Literature Hermeneutics of Old Russian Literature 1607-6192 2713-2226 IWL RAS https://doi.org/10.22455/HORL.1607-6192-2024-23-265-302 Research Article Articles “DEVIANT” TEXT IN THE HISTORICAL NARRATION OF OLD RUSSIA: TO THE PROBLEM STATEMENT Tufanova Olga A. old-rus@imli.ru 2024 23 265 302 Copyright © 2026, IWL RAS 2026 The article examines the consideration of the concepts of “deviance,” “deviant behavior,” “norm” and the concept of “deviant” text is introduced into scientific circulation in relation to monuments of medieval Russian literature of the 11th–17th centuries. The main task of the study is to define the concept and show its essential, distinctive features. By “deviant” text in the historical narrative of Old Russia we mean fragments that represent a plot or plotless narrative, which has a stable set of compositional elements and is distinguished by a specific system of certain topic elements, the focus of which is the act or actions of a person (group of people) who is perceived and is assessed as contrary to generally accepted norms and expectations of society and/or extraordinary, exotic, outlandish. Since deviance is defined not only as a negative, but also as a positive deviation from the norm, “deviant” texts are divided into two main groups. The first group is “deviant” texts, which depict exclusively violent evil, manifested in cruel acts (negative deviation); they represent a special case of sin — “sinful works.” The second group is “deviant” texts that record positive deviation; they provide an example of an ideal picture of world, ideal or correct, proper behavior in one or another extreme, extraordinary life situation. The last paragraph is devoted to the analysis of the artistic specifics of “deviant” texts. Using the example of a fragment from the 2nd Pskov Chronicle, the general plot scheme of “deviant” texts is shown, as well as the originality of trigger motives, which are a “deviantogenic factor,” the root cause of the development of the plot itself.