EXPRESSIVE SOUND IMAGERY IN THE WORKS OF VASYL STUS

Abstract

The article analyzes the work of Vasyl Stus from a scientific perspective, focusing on the creation of original metaphors and a distinctive artistic style through the use of expressive sound imagery. The study finds that high emotional tension helps to form a poetic space in which dense language, vivid metaphors, and unconventional vocabulary effectively convey the poet's subtle inner states. The combination of visual and auditory images produces a synergistic effect, allowing readers to perceive the dynamic energy and inner life of the poet.Special attention is given to the phenomenon of “sound” as a key element of Stus’s poetic voice. The analysis of a “sonic cry”–ranging from a low hum to high-pitched screams–demonstrates how Stus constructs a dynamic representation of his inner existence and the process of transcendence through sound. The paper also compares these findings with expressionist art, specifically referencing Edvard Munch’s The Scream, which has symbolized emotional intensity for over a hundred years. This comparison situates Stus’s work within a broader international context.The study emphasizes that sound imagery in Stus’s poetry is not merely descriptive; it is a crucial component in shaping the emotional and spiritual experience of the reader. The poetic process, reflecting inner growth and the search for self-identification, is materialized through rich imagery and paradoxical details. These factors combine to transform the poem into a powerful message that reaffirms the authenticity of existence.In summary, the article provides an in-depth analysis of Vasyl Stus's work as a process of exploring the world through sound imagery. It emphasizes how sound repetition and imitation turn language into a tool for expressing the internal dynamics and vital pulsation of the poetic space.