METAPHORICAL PERSONIFICATION OF THE IMAGE OF THE WIND IN J. R. R. TOLKIEN’S TRILOGY "LORD OF THE RINGS"

Abstract

The paper studies the peculiarities of metaphorical personification of the image of the wind in J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy "Lord of the Rings." Comprehensive linguistic and stylistic analyses of the novel enabled to establish and classify the models used by the writer to create the image of the wind as a living creature as well as to analyze their artistic and imaginative implications. It is established that the most common model of personification of the image of the wind in the novel is its performance of actions essential to the living beings, such as typical actions done by a living being, its movements in space, and production of various sounds. The second model, as to the number of examples found in the novel, was the one that gave specific characterization to the wind like a living being. A great number of adjectives with negative meaning used in the model created its dangerous and vicious image. This negative image of the wind was also reinforced by the use of verbs imitating animal sounds in the previous model. The third model, the nominalization of the actions of winds, is less frequent in the trilogy along with the fourth model, where the author describes the changes of state of the wind. The least numerous was the one that included parts of the body in the portrayal of the wind. Thus, the author skillfully used the literary device of personification in the trilogy turning the natural phenomenon into a living character that is full of power, often threatening and dangerous. The personalized image of the wind is visually more accessible for perception and possesses emotional expressiveness.