Expressive means of irony expression in Marcel Proust’s aphorisms

Abstract

Shumakova Alla Petrovna – candidate of philology. Russian and French languages dpt. Ivanovo State University of Energy Power of V.I.Lenin.

Abstract. The relevance of the study is determined by the lack of work on the analysis of linguistic expressive means of aphorisms by Marcel Proust. The material of the research are aphoristic sayings of ironic character found in the novels of Proust «Jean Santeuil», «La Prisonnière», «Albertine disparue», «A l’ombre des jeunes filles en fleurs», «Sodome et Gomorrhe», «Le Côté de Guermantes», «Le Temps retrouvé». Since none of the linguistic resources of imagery is self-sufficient it is considered the most effective for the expression of irony combination means expressive syntax (figures) and figurative means (tropes). Among the means of expressive syntax it is analyzed the use of aphorisms by Proust, like parallel structures, chiasm, antithesis, repetition, poliptota. The most frequent in aphorisms by Proust are metaphors and similes. An important aspect of the study of aphorisms of Marcel Proust is a detailed examination of the arsenal of linguistic means of language pun used to create an ironic effect. The material of the pun became a unit of lexical and syntactic level, forming a paradox, pun, parody and illogic. Through the use of expressive means of expression of irony and their various combinations aphorisms Proust acquired ambiguity, originality, intellectual and emotional capacity.

Key words: aphorism, Marcel Proust, irony, expressive means of language, tropes, figures, metaphor, simile, paradox, pun, parody, illogic.