THE ROLE OF CONCEPTUAL METAPHORS IN PORTRAYING PSYCHOLOGICAL STATES IN MODERN LITERATURE
Keywords:
Conceptual metaphors, psychological states, modern literature, mental health, cognitive linguistics, empathy, Normal People, The Midnight Library, The Circle, isolation, depression, anxiety, metaphor theory, narrative, cultural associations.Abstract
This article explores the role of conceptual metaphors in describing psychological states in modern literature, focusing on Sally Rooney “Common people”, Matt Haig's “Midnight Library”, and Dave Egger’s “Circle”. Drawing on Lakoff and Johnson's conceptual metaphor theory, he analyzes how metaphors such as "isolation is displacement", "life is Library", and "anxiety is a storm" look like complex emotions such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. This metaphor reinforces the characterization, reinforces students ' empathy, and reflects contemporary mental health discourses. The study highlights the cognitive and cultural significance of metaphors in the reproduction of personal experiences and universal concepts, suggesting pathways for further cross-cultural research.
