ALLUSIONS IN LITERARY DISCOURSE (BASED ON THE NOVEL “THE WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT” BY J. STEINBECK)

Abstract

This paper is devoted to the study of allusion functions in literary discourse. Allusion is treated as a central manifestation of intertextuality. This term is used as a generic one for both references and quotations. They are defined as two forms of allusion marker. The analysis is conducted on the basis of J. Steinbeck's novel “The Winter of Our Discontent.” The brief review of J. Steinbeck's literary heritage is presented in the paper. The functioning of biblical, mythological and literary allusions is under study. Literary allusions in the novel are made both to works of classical authors (Shakespeare, Tennyson) and works of popular genres. They are used for characterization, to produce ironic and humorous effects, to create a certain atmosphere or setting, to structure the narrative, to introduce and develop the theme of the novel, to generalize the plot. In addition to allusions to certain works of different authors, allusions to certain genres are discussed, including cases of genre re-registration. The role of allusions as means of contributing to the polyphony of the novel and establishing writer-reader interaction of a certain type is also in the focus of the given paper.