On Meaning Construction Of Novel Metaphors In The Unbearable Lightness Of Being From The Perspective Of Conceptual Blending Theory

Milan Kundera’s magnum opus, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, since its publication, has been studied and analyzed from different perspectives, ranging from the theme, character analyses, to stylistic characters. However, the metaphoricity of its language has long been disregarded, let alone interpretation from the cognitive perspective. Conceptual Blending Theory employs multi-directional dynamic mapping network to implement dynamic analyses on the complex imageries of novel metaphors in the literary work, it helps to probe into the deep processing mechanism, to depict the dynamic evolving process of semantic representation of novel metaphors, and to enrich interpretation of the novel.This present paper utilizes the advantages of Conceptual Blending theory in terms of its explanatory power over complex imageries, and applies the theory to novel metaphors in The Unbearable Lightness of Being, in an attempt to conduct cognitive analysis:It begins with an introduction of the concept of novel metaphor, followed by the theoretical framework of Conceptual Blending Theory, and detailed description of example sentences. Afterwards, it employs three types of Conceptual Blending Networks, namely, Mirror Network, Single-scope Network, and Double-scope Network, to analyze some complex novel metaphors revolving around two main characters, Tomas and Tereza, in The Unbearable Lightness of Being, and the cognitive analyses will be performed in three steps, namely, composition, completion, and elaboration. In the whole integration process, with the identification of cognitive domains, the extraction of organizing frame, the establishment of cross-domain mapping, the retrieval of encyclopedic knowledge, and the generation of the emergent structure, the author attempts to thoroughly elucidate how the different types of network models run the blend and construct the meaning. Finally, character analyses are conducted on the two main characters in the novel:Tomas and Tereza, on the basis of the previous meaning construction process, to reveal Tomas’s swinging back and forth between the two extremes:lightness and weight, and Tereza’s unyielding struggle over the division of body and soul, which in turn heightens the underlying theme, namely, the contradictory duality of lightness and weight, as well as philosophical speculations of The Unbearable Lightness of Being. This research is significant both theoretically and practically. Firstly, little research has been conducted to study the novel The Unbearable Lightness of Being from the cognitive perspective, not to mention to probe into the on-line processing mechanism. This present paper employs conceptual blending cognitive model to interpret the complex metaphors in the literary piece, aiming to explore the dynamic process of meaning construction and cognitive operation, in an effort to verify the mighty explanatory power of Conceptual Blending Theory. Secondly, it provides cognitive evidence to validate the perception and interpretation of the novel, and sheds light on the relationship between language and cognition, through the analyses of cognitive structures of the novel metaphors in the novel. Thirdly, it enriches emotional expressions, cultivates metaphorical abilities, and enhances interpretation of the literary texts. Lastly, this research facilitates innovative thinking, as well as expands our research horizons.