Cognitive Aspects of Understanding and Interpreting an English-language Fiction Text (Based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s Novel)

Abstract

The article under consideration explores the cognitive processes involved in the understanding and interpretation of English-language fiction, in particular, metaphors in J. R. R. Tolkien’s novel. The author analyses various cognitive aspects, such as semantic memory, working memory, interpretation processes, and representations that occur in the brain while reading a literary text. The study is based on cognitive linguistics, mental imagery theory, and a comparative analysis of texts in English and Ukrainian. The author applies cognitive analysis methods and empirical research to study the cognitive processes involved in understanding and interpreting an English-language literary text. Particular attention is paid to conceptual metaphors, frames, cognitive models, and peculiarities of interpretation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s literary heritage. Conceptual metaphor: The article analyses how J. R. R. Tolkien skilfully uses metaphors to create a living and diverse world of Middle-earth and how readers interpret these metaphors based on their cultural and cognitive schemes. Frames and scenarios: examines the typical scenarios and frames that activate readers when they read and how they influence their understanding of the plot and characters. Cognitive models: examines how readers construct their cognitive models of the world of Middle-earth, which includes geography, history, culture, and social structures. Individual differences in interpretation describe how readers' characteristics, cultural context, and prior experiences influence how they perceive the text. The study provides a clear understanding of how readers interact with a literary text and how cognitive processes affect how we see literary works.