Myth about twins in the novel “Cutting for stone” by A. Verghese
https://doi.org/10.26907/2782-4756-2026-84-2-243-248
Abstract
This study examines and interprets the myth about twins as a primary means of organizing the text’s meaning and composition in “Cutting for Stone” (2008) by American writer A. Verghese. The novel is a complex epic narrative that intertwines several key themes to create a complex and profound picture of human existence. This article focuses on the theme of twinship, specifically the story of Marion and Shiva. Based on this analysis, the study determines the extent to which Verghese utilizes mythological motifs. The novel describes the similarities and differences between the twin brothers, explores the nature of their interactions, and identifies the characters’ connections to key aspects of the myth. The novel embodies traditional mythological elements such as dubious parentage, the sacrificial death of one of the twins, the motif of patricide, and rivalry. Verghese imbues the mythological paradigm with contemporary meanings: the motif of “dissection,” the trauma of separation, the search for identity, and the opposition of “us” and “them.” The sacrificial death of one of the twins in the novel’s concluding part leads to a symbolic reunion of the brothers, actualizing the sacred aspect of the myth about twins. Thus, the twin myth in the novel allows for a philosophical understanding of the crisis of both man and the world.
About the Author
R. A. Faizullina
Kazan Federal University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Faizullina Rushana Alfredovna, Ph.D. in Philology, Associate Professor
18 Kremlyovskaya Str., Kazan, 420008
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Review
For citations:
Faizullina R.A. Myth about twins in the novel “Cutting for stone” by A. Verghese. Philology and Culture. 2026;(2):243-248. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.26907/2782-4756-2026-84-2-243-248
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