Conceptual Metaphor of Mirroring in the Artistic Interpretation of Futurology (On the Material of V. O. Pelevin's Novel “KGBT+”)

The article focuses on the linguistic basis underlying the construction of the images-plot integrity of a contemporary novel addressing futurological problems. The novel “KGBT+” by V. O. Pelevin develops the theme of “transhumanism”, a phenomenon involving the integration of technological innovations into the biosocial nature of human beings. The work has a clearly traceable metaphorical complex of “mirroring”, which provides a linguistic basis for interpreting the writer's attitude toward futurological trends. Linguaculturally, these trends are manifested in the fact that, being embedded in a technologically determined society, a person of the 21st century is cognitively vulnerable to the discourse of progressivism. His postmodern nature is demonstrated by the way the metaphor of “mirroring” conceptually brings together the exploration of reality, the mechanisms of low-grade humor, adolescent maximalism and the global situation in the world. The conceptual synthesis is thus entrusted to the reader, while the culminating realization of the basic metaphor is the “broken mirror”, which combines the Big Bang theory with the famous image from the fairy tale by H. C. Anderson. If we interpret this narrative technique as a postmodern game, then it can be seen as asserting capitulation of human consciousness before a fragmented reality that has lost its historical dimension. If we assume that the irony of the narrative warns the mass reader against losing their linguistic and cognitive abilities to synthesize a picture of the world, then it is legitimate to assume that the futurological faith in progress is seen by the author as an exercise in rejecting the Present and the Eternal. The reckless adherence to the values of “transhumanization” then appears as a false Future, with the apotheosis of technological intervention distorting human nature.