The metaphorical representation of the concept of “mother” in the epic works by Borys Antonenko-Davydovych, Rou Shi and Vsevolod Ivanov

Abstract

The research paper highlights the metaphorical representation of the concept of "mother" in the works of fiction by Ukrainian, Chinese and Russian writers. The authors of this paper analyzed the novel "Behind the curtain" by Borys Antonenko-Davydovych, the story "A Slave Mother" ("为奴隶的母亲") by Rou Shi and the story "Polaia Arapiia" by Vsevolod Ivanov. In Borys Antonenko-Davydovych’s novel "Behind the curtain" the metaphor of "Motherland" is represented by the concept of "mother". In the novel this metaphor is defined by the research paper’s authors from the subtext of the work of fiction. The concept of "mother" in the story of Chinese writer is realized through the metaphor of "female slave", that is presented in the title of the work. The metaphor of "hope" represents the concept of "mother" in the story of Russian writer, this metaphor is represented in the name of the main character. This paper proves that the concept of "mother" in the epic works of Ukrainian, Chinese and Russian writers is also represented through the metaphor of "berehynia", which indicates the similarity of these three works. The concept of "mother" in the novel "Behind the curtain" by Borys Antonenko-Davydovych, the story "A Slave Mother" ("为奴隶的母亲") by Rou Shi and the story "Polaia Arapiia" by Vsevolod Ivanov is represented through similar semantic markers: motherly love, humility, self-sacrifice, mental strength over a man, unselfishness, protection, humanity, kindness.