SEMANTICS OF THE TITLE OF ROMAN MALINOVSKY’S STORY «TWO MINUTES BEFORE MIDNIGHT»

The article is devoted to the study of such an element paratext as a title. object story modern Ukrainian writer Roman Malinovsky “Two minutes before midnight”. It was published in book “Sweet Life” 2021, and it reflected author’s consciousness danger life mankind that weapon carries. purpose reveal meanings story’s title, substantiate its representative, textforming role, determine how title helps understand concept reality, embodied work. To achieve goal, vocabulary (sun, wind, stars) included semantic field “space objects” analyzed. position substantiated key role played by image stars, this dominant component field, closest core. direct meaning word (what seen night sky) metaphorical are highlighted: a) space object; b) cigarette light during friendly meeting; c) wreckages burning satellites; d) flashes nuclear missiles. thesis motif appears at beginning work expectation unusual cosmic phenomenon – fall stares, with which aesthetic (enjoyment their beauty) associated, well hope wishes come true, replaced end statement launch rockets bring death people, including those who gathered enjoy view stars hoped for happy future. As result, oppositions were indicated description picture approaching (the story) “signs Space”: “day - night”, “present future”, “life death”, “beautiful disgraceful, unhumane”, chaos”. Attention drawn fact vector what happening is: from variety colors plunging world into darkness, dispersion. Hence dominance semantics extinction, death. interpretation boundary between existence loss proposed. conclusion made about main whole work: two happened mankind.