FROM MARUSIA KAYDASHYKHA TO IVETTA VERBYTSKA:TRANSFORMATION OF CONCEPTUAL FEMALE CHARACTERISTICS VERBALIZERS IN UKRAINIAN ARTISTIC DISCOURSE

Abstract

The article analyses the verbalizers of the ‘woman’ concept used by I. Nechuy-Levytsky to create the image of Marusia Kaydashykha (novel “Kaydasheva simya”, 1878), and by the writer Liuko Dashvar to produce the image of Ivetta Verbytska (novel “Maty vse”, 2010).

The aim of the proposed study is to clarify the means of linguistic representation of the ‘woman’ concept in the novels “Kaydasheva simya” (1878) and “Maty vse” (2010) and compare them considering the author subjectivism and time gap between the works.

The structure of the ‘woman’ concept, proposed by O. Chybysheva (2005) and T. Sukalenko (2009), was the theoretical basis of the analysis. Three subconcepts such as ʽExternal characteristics’, ʽInternal characteristicsʼ and ʽSocial characteristicsʼ were highlighted in the research. Each of them contains the corresponding microconcepts. ʽExternal characteristicsʼ include ʽExteriorʼ, ʽClothesʼ, and ʽShoesʼ. ʽInternal characteristicsʼ embrace ʽMoral qualitiesʼ, ‘Emotional and psychological statesʼ and ‘Intellectual featuresʼ of a woman. ʽSocial characteristicsʼ cover such microconcepts as ʽMarital statusʼ, ʽActivitiesʼ, ʽAttitude to a husbandʼ, ʽAttitude to childrenʼ, ʽAttitude to familyʼ, and ‘Attitude to other peopleʼ. The means of linguistic representation of all subconcepts and microconcepts in the artistic discourse of the analysed works were revealed.

It is concluded that for almost a century and a half the conceptual features of Ukrainian women with a strong character have changed somewhat, which has also affected the linguistic verbalizers. This is especially true of a woman’s internal and social characteristics. Attractive in appearance, a loving and devoted mother, a guardian of the family, she became educated, well-bred, active, purposeful in achieving her goal. However, as a century ago, she, even married, is usually deprived of a strong male shoulder, which forces her to remain a strong, steadfast personality.