The Word as a Symbol in Literature

Abstract

Nowadays the role of the entire cultural heritage, including its multiple symbols, is being actively studied. The article shows that literature (fiction) containing numerous symbols is also essential to the process. One of the tasks of the Word is to act as a symbol within a literary text. Being a symbol, it is integral to the system of writers’ world outlooks and worldviews, thus contributing to further plots and new meanings that require special consideration. The problem of understanding its role as a symbol, its meaningfulness has been considered not only in literary works, including separate philosophical reflections and spiritual quests of authors as masters of the Word, but also in research works, since the Word and its inexhaustible potential as well as its role in the field of arts and culture have always been - and shall remain such - a subject of permanent academic research. The article is primarily based on an analysis of 19th/21st century literary fiction texts. In terms of methodology, the research is based on academic works discussing descriptive, analytical, textual, historical and cultural approaches to studies of the Word, its meaningfullness and representativity as a symbol. The paper shows that the role of the Word as a symbol within the framework of writers’ world outlooks, worldviews, and spirituality is unquestionable and crucial.