Differentiating features of metaphorical and mental images verbalized in artistic discourse by E.I. Zamyatin

The article reflects the results of solving the problem of differentiation of metaphorical signs and signs of mental images in the artistic discourse by E.I. Zamyatin. As mental units, metaphorical, and psychic images are analyzed by means of self-observation, abstraction, and mental modeling. In this respect, it is proposed to explore the signs of metaphorical and psychic images in the discourse. The main features of metaphor that distinguish it from mental images are its synthetization, progressive semantic formation of new knowledge from the old one, conscious motivation, abstracting, and intention for multiple social use. The markers of the sign of mental images are identified. A special role of tropeic comparisons in the verbalization of mental images is pointed out to. It is proposed to identify the sign of a mental image as a separate visual and expressive means of language. It is maintained that the differentiation of verbalized metaphorical and psychic images clarifies both the understanding of these mental units and their linguistic signs, as well as the analysis of literary texts, which overcomes the ambiguity in linguistic research.