Semantic and stylistic functions of antonyms in A. T. Tvardovsky’s epic poem "Vasily Tyorkin" (to the 115th anniversary of the birth)

Abstract

   The article describes one of the lexical-stylistic categories, i. e., usual and occasional antonymy, identified in A. T. Tvardovsky’s epic poem "Vasily Tyorkin". The stylistic functions of antonym pairs are determined and analysed by structural semantic and functional stylistic methods. The article concludes that different types of antonyms and stylistic devices created on their basis are a polyfunctional phenomenon contributing to the implementation of various pragmatic ideas of the writer. Usual and occasional antonym pairs are employed to indicate the limit of manifestation of actions, a person’s physical and mental state; to highlight the important and the significant; to strengthen the image, the impression made; to express the assessment of opposite actions; to affirm opposite qualities, actions, and so on. The poem has been found to widely use antithesis (and its types), oxymoron, and antiphrasis, i. e., stylistic devices based on semantic and evaluative antonymy. Antithesis is employed to create the key semantic oppositions of the work such as "our own – alien", "Russian – German", "love – war". Oxymoron enhances literary speech expressiveness. Antiphrasis is used to make the literary text sound humorous and ironic. The variety of the stylistic functions of antonyms enabled Tvardovsky to realistically convey the wartime atmosphere, describe the protagonist’s and other characters’ disposition and actions, as well as to add emotionality and expressiveness to the narrative.