Thematic groups of metaphors in the prose works of Boris Grinchenko

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the metaphorical system in the prose works of Borys Grinchenko, which is considered as one of the key factors of his individual style and artistic thinking. In the writer’s creative practice, metaphor appears not only as a means of figurative expression but also as a tool for deeper comprehension of social realities, the inner world of characters, and moral-ethical issues. The paper outlines the main thematic directions of metaphor usage, encompassing psychological experiences, natural phenomena, socio-domestic realities, and abstract categories. Such systematization makes it possible to trace the multidimensional nature of metaphorics, its ability to combine the concrete and the generalized, the material and the spiritual, while forming the integrity of the artistic space. Particular attention is paid to the functions of metaphor in the writer’s prose: it performs an aesthetic role by creating imagery and expressiveness, and a semantic role by shaping the author’s position regarding social processes, moral values, and spiritual quests. Metaphor becomes a means of communication between author and reader, fostering emotional involvement and deeper understanding of the artistic content. The results of the study demonstrate that Grinchenko’s metaphorical system is complex and represents one of the defining features of his work. It unites different thematic groups, ensures the coherence of the artistic world, and provides depth in depicting social and psychological realities. Thus, metaphor in the prose works of the writer emerges as a universal instrument that determines the individuality of his style and makes a significant contribution to the development of Ukrainian literature at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.