SUBTEXT POETICS AS A LITERARY PROBLEM

Abstract

In the literary studies the subtext theory is actively developing, and the need for systematization, generalization, and concretization of the theoretical achievements connected with the creation of the implicit plan in the literary work arises. One of such problems is subtext poetics, the study of which is the purpose of the paper. It is determined that subtext poetics is a system of tools, by which a writer can create the second semantic plan of a literary work. The writer’s choice of subtext tools takes place on the conscious (the result of mental activity) or on the unconscious (the expression of talent) levels. The author analyzes the main tools for building the implicit meanings. In particular, intertextuality is investigated fully, a writer references (quotation, allusion, and reminiscence) build an attached informative plan, decoding of which can help to deeper understand a literary work. A hidden meaning is incurred by a symbol, an object or a verbal sign, which indirectly expresses the essence of a certain phenomenon. Close to the value of a symbol is a sign, an object that represents another object in the human consciousness, it is simple and generally excepted. A lot in common with a symbol has an allegory, a two-faced image, in which its concrete becomes a sign of the idea that is completely abstracted from its direct meaning. Subtext meaning can get a metaphor. In the metaphor some words and word combinations reveal the essence of some phenomena and objects through others on the principle of assimilation or division. Its mechanism is based on the associative thinking, that is a special writer’s talent to combine several imagined ideas, which altogether create another idea. Genres of artistic works can indicate the hidden meanings in the text. For instance, a fable has a two-level content. It is a small, poetic, and very instructive work. Close to the fable is a parable, which contains a certain didactic idea. The genre of fairy tales is extremely significant from the subtext perspective. It is based on an interesting story about fictional, fantastic or adventurous events that hide the didactic meanings. Literary aphorisms are also indicators of subtext, because in the short and original statements a writer puts a deep message. The system approach to the subtext poetics allows to understand its nature, to determine implicit meanings in the literary work, and therefore, to understand the true one.