Linguistic Relativity and Deconstruction in Vazha-Pshavela's "The Snake-Eater" Mindia's Cognitive-Linguistic Tragedy

Abstract

Vazha-Pshavela's "The Snake-Eater" stands as a unique phenomenon within Georgian literature, where the hero's tragedy transcends traditional ethical-social dichotomies and transforms into a fundamental cognitive-linguistic crisis. This research draws upon the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis of linguistic relativity (specifically linguistic determinism), Ludwig Wittgenstein's philosophy of language, and Jacques Derrida's deconstruction methodology. Through this theoretical lens, Mindia’s consumption of snake flesh is interpreted not merely as a magical act, but as a radical "semiotic switch": the hero reclaims the holistic language of "Eden" ("mythical consciousness"), thereby breaching the boundaries of human language and deconstructing the established binary oppositions of society (enemy/friend, nature/culture). To demonstrate the ontological depth of Vazha's vision, the paper draws parallels with other literary receptions of the Mindia myth—Konstantine Gamsakhurdia’s "Khogais Mindia" (individualistic-psychological interpretation) and Grigol Robakidze’s "Lamara" (mystical-erotic interpretation). The study concludes that Mindia’s tragedy is driven by the conflict between two incompatible "language games"—the rational logos of the community ("Saqmo") and the irrational logos of nature. Since Mindia’s transcendent knowledge cannot be accommodated within the social linguistic matrix, communication becomes impossible, condemning the hero to "ontological silence" and inevitable physical destruction.