Репрезентация гротескных форм в англоязычных интернет-мемах

Abstract

This article looks at the grotesque as a stylistic device in English memes. The novelty of the research is determined by the fact that for the first time the grotesque is analysed in detail within the context of such a popular and understudied phenomenon of computer-mediated communication as the Internet meme. The relevance of the paper consists in the necessity of studying the grotesque in the Internet meme with the aim of developing and complementing a coherent theory of Internet memes. The aim of the paper is to examine the functioning of the grotesque in English Internet memes from the perspective of discourse theory, taking into account the distinctive communicative and semiotic nature of these units. The research shows that the grotesque is a common stylistic device in English Internet memes. Such forms of grotesque realization as political underpinning, zoomorphism and the interplay of the present and the past were revealed. It is noted that the political underpinning of the grotesque is manifested when this stylistic device is used to emphasize aspects of the political sphere. As for zoomorphism, this phenomenon is realized when animals are likened to people in a grotesque way. Further, it is demonstrated that the interplay of the present and the past is based on the fantastic and grotesque expression of temporal relations in Internet memes. The empirical evidence testifies that, as a rule, the grotesque in Internet memes acts as a means of creating humour and helps to express the implication of the meme’s author. In addition to that, the findings indicate that the functioning of the grotesque in Internet memes is determined by the multimodal form of these units, which allows one to create an expressive and vivid grotesque image. In conclusion, the article outlines prospects for further study of the grotesque in Internet memes.