My paper analyses emotions, positive and negative metaphorical references of colours. The analysis considers Lakoff’s and Johnson’s conceptual metaphor theory. This approach allows to move out the metaphor outside of the framework of the language system and allows linguists to consider it a phenomenon of interaction of language, thinking and culture. It aims to answer the question of Stephen’s and Joyce’s relationship to Ireland and the importance of metaphorical concepts in literature.
In modern cognitology, metaphor is one of the main mental operations to structure, explain and learn about the world around us. No piece of fiction can be complete without metaphors - stylistic devices and the result of artistic thoughts connected with the poetic vision of the surrounding world. Poetic creativity is defined through characteristic metaphors and poets understand and accept such definitions. Philosophers use metaphors to convey thoughts to readers simplifying them with the help of metaphors connecting them with reality and everyday life. Poets and writers use metaphors to create subtext. This gives their works a unique status of universality, independence from the period of time it was written in and the respective era. It allows many generations of readers to read and comprehend their texts.
Lakoff singles out the conceptual metaphors, in other words, figurative models with the help of which we create and perceive the surrounding world. In other words, any sphere of life can be represented as a series of pictures which are firmly established in our minds. The same happens in literature, when an author, creating his work, simultaneously creates his own world - a definite one, unlike any other. By dentifying the figurative models on the basis of which the work is built, it is easier to understand or theorise what the author wanted to tell. It can be confirmed by linguistic data, in particular, by lexis.
Thanks to language, we have gained access to metaphors that structure perception, thinking and actions. In literature, colours and emotions are frequently used to describe protagonist’s character traits, communicate the narrator’s and the author’s emotional state. Such features are integrated into the text to build a specific ambience. James Joyce describes emotions and attitudes with colours and emotions in relation to colours in his works. Therefore, Dubliners and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man are full of colours and natural imagery.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Conceptual Metaphor Theory
- Conceptual Metaphors in James Joyce's Novels
- Symbolism
- Colours as Conceptual Metaphors
- Green
- Black
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper analyzes the conceptual metaphors of the colours green and black in James Joyce's early novels, Dubliners and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, to reveal the author's complex feelings towards Ireland. The analysis utilizes Lakoff and Johnson's theory of conceptual metaphor, aiming to understand Stephen Dedalus' and Joyce's relationship with their homeland. The paper examines the metaphorical use of color in the context of emotions and attitudes, exploring how these concepts contribute to the overall themes of the novels.
- Conceptual metaphors in literature
- The role of color symbolism in James Joyce's novels
- The use of green and black as metaphors for emotions and attitudes towards Ireland
- The relationship between language, thought, and culture
- Stephen Dedalus' and Joyce's complex feelings towards their homeland
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter introduces the topic of conceptual metaphors in literature, highlighting their role in creating meaning and shaping reader perception. It establishes the context for the analysis of Joyce's works, emphasizing the importance of metaphor in understanding artistic vision and cultural expressions. The second chapter dives into the theory of conceptual metaphor, outlining Lakoff and Johnson's framework for understanding the cognitive processes involved in metaphorization. This chapter provides a theoretical foundation for the subsequent analysis of the novels.
The third chapter focuses on the analysis of conceptual metaphors in Joyce's early novels, exploring the symbolic use of colours. It examines the specific metaphors associated with green and black, revealing how these colours represent various emotional and attitudinal nuances. The chapter delves into the significance of these metaphorical expressions in conveying Stephen Dedalus' and Joyce's complex relationship with Ireland.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This term paper focuses on the concepts of conceptual metaphor, color symbolism, and the relationship between language, thought, and culture. It explores the metaphorical use of green and black in James Joyce's early novels, examining their implications for understanding the author's complex feelings towards Ireland. Key themes include the role of metaphor in literature, the metaphorical representation of emotions and attitudes, and the importance of cultural context in interpreting literary works.
- Quote paper
- Black A. Smith (Author), 2021, Colours in James Joyce’s Novels. Green and black as Conceptual Metaphors, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1150139
