HERMENEUTICS AS A METHODOLOGICAL TOOL FOR THE STUDY OF UKRAINIAN LITERATURE

Abstract

The article explores hermeneutics as an effective methodological tool in the study of Ukrainian literature.Emphasis is placed on its philosophical foundations, historical origins, and the transformations that have rendered the hermeneutic approach a universal means of interpreting literary texts within cultural, historical, and individual contexts. The core concepts developed by F. Schleiermacher, W. Dilthey, H.-G. Gadamer, and P. Ricoeur – such as “text,” “interpretation,” “author,” “reader,” “horizon of understanding,” and the “hermeneutic circle” – are analyzed as the theoretical pillars of modern hermeneutics. It is shown that hermeneutics allows not only for the reconstruction of the meaning intended by the author but also for uncovering layers of significance shaped by cultural-historical context and reader reception.Special attention is given to the development of hermeneutics in Ukrainian philology, particularly in the works of M. Zubrytska, T. Hundorova, and M. Ilnytskyi, who have consistently applied interpretative strategies in the study of Ukrainian literary texts. Through the analysis of works by Lesia Ukrainka, Olha Kobylianska, Valerii Shevchuk, Lina Kostenko, and Oksana Zabuzhko, the article demonstrates how the hermeneutic approach enables a deeper understanding of symbolism, existential themes, identity narratives, and gender discourse.The article also examines the challenges and prospects of hermeneutics in the context of digital culture. It addresses the specifics of interpreting electronic texts, hypertexts, and multimedia formats, where the reader becomes not only an interpreter but also an active participant in the creation of meaning. In conclusion, the article argues for the continuing relevance and adaptability of the hermeneutic method as a vital tool of contemporary humanities.