Development of plant image in African American literature of late XX-early XXI century

The paper investigates basic plant images found in modern African American literature (the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century). The data is based on works by T.C. Bambara, D. Belton, B. Birtha, W. Demby, B. Jackson, M. Johnson, M. Dixon, E. Gaines, B. Campbell, R. Kenan, S. Corbin, A. Lorde, C. McElroy, N. Mackey, T. McMillan, J. McPherson, C. Major, J. McCluskey, M. Monroe, G. Naylor, D. Pinckney, J. Wright, J. Reed, Sapphire, J. Wideman, A. Walker, C. Forde, K. Hunter, M. Harper, T. Harris, F. Shaik, M. Evans and others. The results demonstrate stable frequency of the conceptual metaphor “PLANT IS A HUMAN BEING”. We further base our research on national features typical for African American literature on the whole. Our research strategy is formed on the basis of conceptual metaphor theory, the methods of which have been further modified during our research so that linguistic data could be analyzed in a more detailed way. The research results contribute to the investigation of metaphors, text analysis, English lexicography. Some results may also be of interest for scholars conducting research within the framework of cross-cultural and linguo-cultural studies.