Афоризми в американській поезії ХХ століття: парадоксальність як ключ до відображення світогляду

The article examines the mechanisms of implementing paradoxicality in aphorisms of twentiethcentury American poetry. Paradoxicality holds a prominent place in contemporary studies, as it reflects not only the uniqueness of linguistic expression, but also the complexity of cognitive processes. As a significant object of linguistic analysis, it demonstrates the ability of languages to generate contradictory yet semantically rich statements, which challenge traditional norms and enhance the philosophical and cultural dimensions of poetic discourse.An endeavour is made to scrutinise aphorisms as one of the most effective means of verbalising paradoxicality, given that they are capable of producing new senses through semantic oppositions and the violation of habitual models and norms of lexical compatibility, creating a contrast between the expectedand the unexpected. Despite the fact that aphorisms have long attracted the attention of the scientific community and as a linguistic and cultural phenomenon have been studied by representatives of various scientific schools, a number of issues still require more detailed consideration. Paradoxicality as one of the defining features of aphoristic expressions is among such issues. It is precisely the paradoxical approach to comprehending phenomena and objects of the surrounding world that shapes the distinctiveness of the aphorism as a form of deep philosophical generalisation and verbalisation of human experiences. Due to their original and stunning content, aphorisms often transcend traditional criteria of truth and falsity. The material for the study encompasses the aphorisms selected from the works of twentieth-century American poetry. This literary corpus represents a valuable source of forms in which the authors’ individuality combines with universal cultural codes. Such expressions not only exhibit the intricate existential and philosophical ideas of their era, but also remain relevant in the twenty-first century, shaping our critical engagement with complex and multifaceted issues.