FEATURES OF THE METAPHOR FUNCTIONING IN A LITERARY TEXT (USING THE EXAMPLE OF S. MAUGHAM’S NOVEL “THEATRE”)

Abstract

The article explores the peculiarities of metaphor functioning in a literary text using W. Somerset Maugham’s novel Theatre as a primary example. The study outlines the theoretical approaches to metaphor in both Ukrainian and international linguistic traditions and defines metaphor not merely as a stylistic device but as a cognitive mechanism that shapes human perception and thought. The research focuses on various classifications of metaphors and highlights their communicative, expressive, and aesthetic functions within artistic discourse.

The author examines Maugham’s individual writing style, emphasizing his use of metaphor to convey emotions, character traits, and complex interpersonal dynamics. Particular attention is paid to figurative, cognitive, and nominative metaphors, which are used to depict both the internal states and external behaviors of the novel’s characters. The study also analyzes how metaphor reflects cultural values and identity, especially in the process of translation, where it is often necessary to employ lexical and grammatical transformations to preserve the original stylistic and emotional effect.

Maugham’s concise and ironic narrative style, enriched with metaphorical expressions, is shown to enhance character development and reader engagement. The article further explores how metaphors in Theatre serve as tools for irony, emotional intensification, and cultural reflection. The findings underscore the importance of metaphor as a multidimensional phenomenon that combines aesthetic, cognitive, and linguistic elements, thus contributing to the richness of literary communication.

The research results open up further perspectives for analyzing the metaphorical style of Maugham across his other works and within the broader context of 20th-century English literature.