The article is dedicated to the comparison of the semantic evolution of the lexemes charm and witchcraft. It destinguishes common and differential components of the semantic content and marks the perception of the components. The research is based on the analysis of dictionaries’ materials that give interpretation of its lexemes. The diachronic and the synchronic analysis of lexical-derivational nests with tops bajati and koldovati is conducted. The common historical seme is established. The common semantic factor for the lexemes charm and witchcraft is determined at the present stage of language development, their connotations are shown, and the frequency of their use is identified. The examples of metaphorical use of lexemes are given.

The article discusses the use of combinations-impositions slovno kak by, slovno kak budto, slovno budto, kak budto by in the prose of Chekhov. Their role in expressing the subjective modality of reliability-unreliability is analyzed. These combinations are distinguished on the border of analytical systems and phraseological particles. This combination-impositions are characteristic for colloquial speech of characters. Using them, A. Chekhov achieves stylization of text to simple, relaxed speech.

This paper explores different methods of implicit content interpretation of text, it analyses the scientific approaches to the description of connotations in different linguistic disciplines. The author uses some methods of linguistic examination in the analysis of the connotative content of the original text illustrated with an example of zoonyms in the lyrics of Sasha Cherny. The author introduces the concept of the actual connotation, which is realized in a specific context; points out and describes the levels of characterizing the concurrence or the discrepancy between the actual connotations with the associations that exist for a certain word outside of context.

The article describes semantic-pragmatic features of stable phrases appealing to M. Bulgakov’s novel “The Master and Margarita”. Specifics of their functioning in the modern mass media texts are characterized. Conclusions are drawn concerning the use of case phenomena with the sphere source “literature”. The key precedent units (words, phrases, sentences) with the analyzed sphere source forming space of mass media texts come to light.

The article presents one of the stages of preparation of the linguistic diagnostics of ethnic tensions by the method of free associative experiment among the foreign students studying in Russia and studying Russian language in a multi-ethnic team. The article focuses on the fact that timely detection of problems and conflicts in polyethnic group, which may be a decrease in the desire to understand and accept other cultures, have been suggested as a preventive method of ensuring linguistic security.

The article is devoted to peculiarities of expression of the category of evaluation in the ancient text. The article shows the patterns of organization of verbal rows, which are composed of a special assessment phrases - combinations that contain the instrumental case restriction. Also the author of the article considers the peculiarities of using data combinations in texts written in the style of “weaving of words”. On the material of excerpts from the works of Epiphanius the Wise and Nifont, some regularities of the organization of the text with the help of instrumental case phrases are shown.

The article examines the perception of the literary criticism of the play by L. Tolstoy “The power of darkness” in terms of its scenic possibilities. The analysis is mainly based on the interpretations of the play in the works of A. Kugel, A. Volynsky, P. Krasnov, V. Burenin’s. The article presents both positive and negative critical evaluations of various aspects of Tolstoy’s work such as presence of drama idea, art logic and psychological conditioning of characters’ actions, compliance of author’s plan with experience of its scenic embodiment. Close attention to this drama from critics demonstrates that already at the turn of 19th-20th centuries the appearance of “The power of darkness” was regarded as a big landmark event in the Russian drama.

On the example of the poem “Psychic attack” the article consideres the art world of the poet L. Borodin. The poem is analyzed in the context of historical and biographical information about the author and connection with Russian literature. It defines life values, as stated in the poem, deals with the dominant image of Motherland in the works of the poet. The article shows the inheritance of the tradition of M. Lomonosov.

Аbstrаct. This paper presents the analysis of the narrative situation of the poem «The Twelve», associated with images of Red Guards and the murder of Katka that helps deeper understanding of the true essence of the work. Through the comparison of various approaches to comprehension and evaluation of this situation revealed are meaning connotations that previously were not seen in literary criticism. The author drew documentary evidence that helps to understand the evolution of the view of Alexander Blok on October events.

Article is devoted to clarifying the functions of landscape in I. Bunin’s art world. In the story “Chang’s Dreams” deep feelings and experiences of characters are framed by landscape patterns of sea elements which not only reflect a psychological state of characters, but also express the philosophical world outlook of the author. The Bunin’s sea is a kind of a living organism that exists on the earth by its laws and dependent only on the higher forces. The steamship that floats in oceanic waters, appears to us as the tiny speck which has no idea about its insignificance. Same way is a human powerless before power of life. At the same time Bunin approves thought of need of spiritual development of a personality, as the unique force that resists degradation and decay.

The article reveals the phenomenon of the parish prose of the 21st century, in particular, the specifics of the system of its characters. In the frame of the model of “pastor - congregation” interaction, a special type of “companion” character is identified. The author analyzes its function in the narrative and the techniques of creation in the works of contemporary Orthodox writers. The analysis is based on the essays and stories of Archpriest Alexander Shantaev (The cycle “Asya’s memory”).

In this article, the authors try to identify what brings together two great writers with such different philosophy outlook, writers who lived at different times in different continents in understanding what war is, how it affects the personality and destiny of a man and a whole nation. The most frequent stylistic devices used by the authors (artistic detail, internal monologue, portrait image dynamics) are examined and compared for more complete disclosure of the images of their characters.

The article is devoted to one of the important philosophical and theological questions of American puritanism - an understanding of visible and invisible world. Such important works as «Of Plymouth plantation» by W. Bradford and translated into Russian by the author of the article «Diary» by S. Sewall, «Contemplations» by A. Bradstreet, «The Day of Doom» by M. Wigglesworth are researched in the context the 17th - beginning of the 18th centuries American literature. The article reveals the forms of the manifestation of visible and invisible worlds and concludes that these spheres are closely interrelated in the American national consciousness and the 17th - beginning of the 18th centuries.

In the article, the functional diversity and significance of V. Mayakovsky’s reference to the names of writers and poets is considered. The article analyzes associations born of a negative attitude towards the Artist or worship of his talent, a philosophical generalization of the world of the writer or interest in his artistic method. Particular attention is paid to the origins of the correlation of details and phenomena. Conclusions are drawn about the position of the early Mayakovsky in relation to the heritage of classics and contemporary writers.

The article is devoted to the artistic features of the space of childhood in the works of the brightest representative of the modern Russian poetry - Olga Sedakova. Topos of childhood is considered comprehensively and systematically, in the unity of the main themes, motifs and images of the poetry of Sedakova, which allows to reveal the specifics of its artistic thinking, mytho-poetic nature of its lyrics. Artistic semantics space of childhood is analysed taking into account the dynamics of the poet in the wider context of literary and folklore traditions.

This article is devoted to the reconstruction of the Alexander Kushner’s philosophy of history by analyzing his poems, essays and interviews. Lyricism and autobiographism are seen as key techniques in the art text creation of the poet’s views on the historical process. In the article, the attention is paid to philosophy of perception of time and events, A. Kouchner’s views on history’s logic, past mythologization, and also ideas of specification and intonation as ways of the embodiment of “Zeitgeist” in lyrical poetry.