This article provides a comprehensive study of G. Khanjyans novel “Hospital”, focusing on the distinctive use of the framing device in exploring the issues of identity crisis, the search for, and the formation of a new identity. A structural analysis of the work reveals that the novel consists of horizontally arranged three-tiered chain-like narrative frames, each of which, in turn, includes other vertically arranged frames.Based on the principles of postmodernism, the article argues that the framing device serves as a tool for the narrator to understand social and historical-political changes by deconstructing reality and, by dividing it into micro-worlds, contrasting the Soviet hospital and post-Soviet post-hospital periods. Moreover, the article posits that the framing device functions as a cognitive lifeline for the protagonist, who stands on the border between two worlds. He uses it to separate things and phenomena, preventing himself from going insane in a tangled, chaotic situation, and later to reorganize and bring order to different aspects of his life. However, a detailed analysis of the novel concludes that the narrators efforts did not yield the tangible results he seeks in the realm of the novel.

KeywordsG. Khanjyan “Hospital” quest for identity post-Soviet Armenia frame story framing device narrative levels diegesis metadiegesis narrative function.

Transformation or metamorphosis from the Greek word metamorphosis is widely prevalent in the mythology, folklore, and various literary genres of diverse nations around the world. In this context, the genre of fairy tale stands out in particular, which, being closely connected with ancient mythological concepts, ritualistic beliefs, human spiritual activity, and the peculiarities of worldview, reveals early human perceptions of the world where beliefs regarding transformation hold a unique place.The motif of transformation, being one of the most widespread and well-known fairy-tale motifs, was expressed in the fairy tale world of one of the prominent figures of Armenian classical literature, also Ghazaros Aghayan. It was vividly manifested in the fairy tales Yeghegnouhi ‘Reed Maiden’ Zangi-Zrangi, Aregnazan or the Magical world, Kich el, kich el ‘a Little More, A Little More’, Odzamanuk and Are¬vahat ‘Snake-Child and Arevahat’, bringing color to the fairy tale text and serving for the development of the plot. Within the framework of this analysis, by studying the beliefs about the reciprocal and suggestive trans¬formations believed among humans, spiritized objects and animals of ancient times, and a number of rep¬re¬sen¬tations expressed in folklore and literary studies about transformation, we the opportunity to examine the creative world of Ghazaros Aghayan in a new way, to form a more in-depth understanding of the manifestation and functional significance of the motif of transformation within the framework of a literary text.

KeywordsGhazaros Agayan motif of transformation fairy tale function belief gender transformation otherworld initiation ritual punishment salvation.