The Functions of Detail in the Author’s Fairy Tale by H. Schiebelhuth “Lace”

This article is devoted to the study of the functional potential of detail in a literary text. The focus of attention is on three main functions: the ability of detail to ensure a balanced ratio of “miraculous” and “plausible”, the contribution of detail to creating an aesthetically significant picture of fabulous everyday life and giving the narrative a plot development, compensation for the absence of plot conflict. It is established that diff erent subspecies of detail are equally supported by both members of the opposition, both fi ction and plausibility. Secondary strokes not only build a harmonious relationship between the opposite terms of the binary opposition, but also give a special value to the mundane, everyday, something that rarely attracts attention. It is also emphasized that adjectives and participles in their metaphorical use can blur the boundaries between “miraculous” and “plausible”. The paper substantiates the importance of detailed descriptions, especially those that exhibit phonostylistic originality, for example, they represent alliteration and assonance, in the implementation of one of the main functions of language in a work of fi ction – the aesthetic function. The analyzed fairy tale differs from the canonical and modifi ed fairy tale in the absence of local and transient confl icts. However, the detailed spatial and temporal markers introduced into the narrative, relevant to the life cycles of flora and fauna, give the artistic text a certain dynamism and plot development.