“Peculiar Ordinariness” of Leskov’s Publicistic Discourse: Contrast in the Writer’s Idiostyle on Example of His “Note on Buildings”

Aim. To identify the linguistic and stylistic features of N. S. Leskov’s idiostyle based on his early journalistic work “Note on Buildings” and to determine the system-forming techniques in the context of journalistic discourse.

Methodology. The study is based on a comprehensive linguistic and stylistic analysis of the text, including lexical-semantic analysis (identifying thematic groups of vocabulary, analyzing metaphors and epithets), and contextual analysis of irony and sarcasm. Special attention is paid to the consideration of the oppositions “high / low”, “abstract / physiological,” and “official / everyday” as the basis of the author’s style.

Results. It has been revealed that the system-forming technique of Leskov’s idiostyle in “A Note on Buildings” is contrast, which is implemented at all levels of the text. A consistent collision of elevated abstract vocabulary with physiological vocabulary has been identified, which creates an estrangement effect and reveals the conflict between official magnificence and the real conditions of life. Key author’s metaphors and epithets, which conceptualize the criticism of the bureaucratic system and social indifference, have been analyzed. The article provides evidence that irony and sarcasm serve as an expressive and an analytical function in the text, allowing the author to reveal deep contradictions of contemporary reality through tragicomic grotesque.

Research implications. The article deepens our understanding of the nature of N. S. Leskov’s idiostyle, demonstrating the unity of artistic and journalistic techniques in his works and identifying the role of contrast as a tool for social analysis in 19^th century journalistic discourse. The findings of the study can be used in university courses on the history of 19^th century Russian literature, text linguistics, special courses on N. S. Leskov’s works, and in the analysis of journalistic texts.

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