The phenomenon of the nonconformist hero: “Duck Hunting” by A. Vampilov and “The Clown” by H. Böll

The aim of the study is to identify the typological similarity between the characters in A. Vampilov’s play “Duck Hunting” and H. Böll’s novel “The Clown” through the lens of their noncon-formist nature. The article reveals the psychological, behavioral, and ethical connection between Viktor Zilov and Hans Schnier, and explores the reasons for their rejection of social standards and rules. The scientific ori- ginality lies in establishing a new typological parallel: A. Vampilov – H. Böll. As a result of the analysis, identical motifs related to the main characters are identified and compared. Particular attention is paid to the heroes’ relationship with their parents, the problems of loneliness, and the interconnection of the motifs of play and self-destruction. The commonality of the heroes’ existential experiences is asserted, despite the diffe¬rences in the specifics of their internal struggles and the manifestations of their playful, trickster-like nature. The study emphasizes the importance of analyzing the cultural context, showing the influence of national traditions on the artistic intention. The results make it possible to broaden the understanding of the typology of literary heroes and deepen the study of the relationship between Russian and European literary traditions.