EKPHRASIS AND ITS FUNCTIONING IN SOMERSET MAUGHAM′S NOVEL “THE MOON AND SIXPENCE”

Abstract

The article investigates the phenomenon of verbal representation of a work of fine arts in literature known under the term of ekphrasis. The object of investigation is ekphrasis as presented in the novel by S. Maugham “The Moon and Sixpence”. Specific features of ekphrasis, its functions and linguistic means of expression are subjected to analysis. The novel contains five ekphrastic inclusions – descriptions of the pictures painted by the main character: a full-length portrait, a landscape, a wall-painting, a fruit-piece, a family portrait. Being different in genre, these pictures share some common features typical of ekphrasis. The description, given in the form of a dialogue or a monologue, includes the invariable features characteristic of an archetypal scheme of ekphrasis. Linguistic manifestation of these archetypal features is connected with visual perception, with strong emotions, with the notions of beauty, miracle, mystery, singularity, spirituality, looking life-like. Ekphrastic descriptions reflect the impression the pictures have made on a certain character, his/her being either an art connoisseur or an ignoramus. Ekphrasis fulfils various functions: an aesthetically-appreciative, a descriptive, an emotionally-expressive, a character-drawing and a hermeneutic function.

Keywords

• ekphrasis
• the archetypal scheme
• ekphrastic dialogue
• ekphrasstic monologue
• art connoisseur/ignoramus
• invariable features
• functions of ekphrasis