Dynamics of evaluation in modern literary narrative (based on the short story «The cousins» by Ch. Baxter)

The article examines evaluative transformations in the structure of characters in modern American prose. Dynamics of evaluation manifest themselves through inversion of value stereotypes and expose value conflicts present in American society. The gradual transition of the main characters to the opposite evaluative poles promotes text cohesion. The study gives grounds for the supposition that the positive evaluative poten­tial of the «American Dream» stereotype is dwindling and a new attitude is being formed. Thus, the short story presents the basic value model as problematic. The article views value judgements as a framing tool for creating literary meaning in a modern short story.