The seemingness verb “seem” and the representation of fear in the English-language novel “The Time Machine” by H. G. Wells

The study aims to identify specific traits in the usage of the verb “seem” in the contexts with the explicit or implied emotion of fear in the science fiction novel “The Time Machine” by H. G. Wells. The verbal expression of the seemingness category, specifically, its core – the verb “seem”, is explored in the English text. The study focuses on contexts with the verb “seem”, representing fear as a dominant emotion in the novel “The Time Machine”. Scientific originality lies in investigating and analyzing the ties between the seemingness category and fear in English fictional text. The study established that emotional contexts characterized by fear are connected with the figure of the monster – the Morlocks, and the associated phenomena, namely, the night, the darkness, the underworld, and the shafts (“wells”). Fear is represented as a complex emotion, often combined with other affective states – distress, relief, hope, confusion. In a number of contexts with the verb “seem”, fear is implied, while rational assessment, imagination or positive emotions, motivated by danger, become foregrounded. The connection between fear and seemingness is based on the same prototypical situation, causing uncertainty, ambiguity, and the existence of several mutually exclusive future possibilities.