Cognitive models of the conceptual opposition «warmth-coldness» on the basis of synesthesia of colour and emotion in D.H. Lawrence’s novel «Sons and lovers»

About the author:

Elena Yu. Ponomareva, Cand. Sci. (Philol.), Associate Professor, Department of the English Language, University of Tyumen; elurpon@gmail.com

Abstract:

The article discusses the concept of synesthesia in terms of stylistics and cognitive linguistics. While analyzing examples of synesthesia in David Herbert Lawrence’s novel “Sons and Lovers”, the author of the article reveals synesthetic complexes expressed in the form of the conceptual opposition “warmth-coldness”. Each component of the opposition is broken down into the triad “colour-sensation-emotion” forming the conceptual blend of colours, warm or cold sensations and positive or negative feelings/emotions, which helps to interpret the role of synesthesia in understanding the nature of the main characters of D.H Lawrence’s novel. Cognitive modelling of the conceptual opposition “warmth-coldness” is conducted with the help of the method of conceptual integration (conceptual blending), suggested by Gilles Fauconnier and Mark Turner, according to which elements of different mental spaces are mixed, resulting in blending in the human subconsciousness. The results obtained by applying the method of conceptual integration are compared with the results obtained from the implementation of the technique of conceptual interpretation, which includes the basic conceptual, associative and emotive-evaluative layers analysis (according to the views of I.A.Tarasova, I.A. Sternin and Z.D. Popova). In the end, a conclusion is made about symbolism of the colour scheme and the role of the opposition of warm and cold colours in D.H. Lawrence’s text, which is a key to understanding the emotional state of the main characters of the novel.

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