Today we'll talk about a word that, on the one hand, is quite ordinary, and on the other, very mysterious. In the area of our attention, the "shadow" is a multifaceted concept that we have to uncover.
Meaning
When it comes to a word with rich content, you can't do without an explanatory dictionary. We turn to him to establish the truth. Here is a list of values of the object of study:
- A place protected from direct sunlight. For example: “In hot countries, even in the shade +40.”
- A dark reflection on something from an object lit from the opposite side. For example: “Look, what a funny shadow I have on the pavement!”.
- Indistinct outline of a figure, silhouette. For example: “A shadow flashed in the alley.”
- Shadows are cosmetic paints for the face and eyelids.
- Darkened, shaded area in the picture. An example can be seen in the photo above.
- Reflection of the internal state in the movement of the face. For example: "A look of disgust crossed his face when he saw that wife's girlfriend again at their house."
- Ghost, playing something. For example: "Before his eyesthe shadows of the past have risen again.”
- The smallest sign, a share of something. For example: “You are mistaken, I have already made a decision, can you hear even a shadow of doubt in my voice?”
- Suspicion of something obscene or dishonorable. For example: "If he is really involved in such financial fraud, then this will not only cast a shadow on his reputation, but it can also be very dangerous for his future career, and possibly life."
No one could have imagined that the question about the meaning of the word "shadow" could have so many answers. But, of course, native speakers are well aware of the various meanings of the definition in question. And yet, when a word reveals to the reader the full depth of its content in such a list, it is impressive. By the way, the list is made in such a way that first there are direct meanings of the word (up to 5 points inclusive), and then figurative ones (from 6 to the end).
Synonyms
Of course, given the number of values, we can assume that there will be a lot of replacement words, but we would not count on it. Firstly, because torturing the reader is not part of our plans, and secondly, we don’t want to unnecessarily stretch the list of synonyms. So here it is:
- cosmetics;
- reflection;
- outline;
- suspicion;
- ghost;
- ghost;
- silhouette;
- phantom;
- chimera.
All the above definitions are a shadow under other names. Of course, all the meanings of the object of study are mixed here, but this is not a problem for those whoyou need to quickly answer the question about the synonyms of the word.
Phraseologism "cast a shadow on the wattle fence"
Of course, one could talk about the figurative and moral meaning of the word, especially since this topic has already been partially touched upon in the meanings. But we decided that first the obligatory program, which today includes the stable phrase “bring a shadow on the wattle fence”, and then everything else. There are rumors that somewhere a designated speech turnover exists with another verb, namely: "Throw a shadow on the wattle fence." Its meaning is probably the same.
First you need to understand what a fence is, right? Wattle is a fence made of branches and twigs. True, when young children hear this phraseological unit for the first time, for some reason they imagine a wicker chair. However, when they become adults, they will understand that this is not a chair at all, but a peculiar, very beautiful fence.
To cast a shadow on the wattle fence means to confuse, obscure the essence of the matter, throw twilight on it. Although what the fence has to do with it is not entirely clear, but this is a mystery not only for us, but also for scientists.
An example of the use of a phraseological unit: “Don’t talk to me with your teeth, don’t cast a shadow on the wattle fence, speak plainly, as you wrote a math test.”
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886)
Under the shadow can also be understood some of the qualities of a person that are personally unacceptable for him, that is, the negative aspects of the personality that he consciously or unconsciously hides (second,of course, more likely).
The most striking literary example of a shadow is a novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. It has two main characters - Dr. Jekyll (good) and Mr. Hyde (bad). But the thing is, it's the same person. Mr. Hyde is a concentrate of the evil inclination, which Dr. Jekyll squeezed out of himself, from the sphere of consciousness. We hope we have not spoiled the fun for anyone, and everyone who reads knows the plot of the story. But in any case, the content itself in Stevenson's work is not the main thing, the main thing is to join the cultural tradition, that is, to finally read this famous and masterpiece text, to make it part of your experience.
Shadow in Jung's concept
Probably in some way (perhaps most directly) the composition of the British classic influenced the founder of analytical psychology, Carl Gustav Jung.
Companion, then opponent of Freud postulated that the fight between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde takes place inside every person, in other words, everyone has a shadow. Man is a combination of light and darkness, angel and demon. The latter manifests itself only when the consciousness loosens its grip. The child grows up, learns what is good and what is evil. In addition, he is influenced by his parents, who approve of some aspects of the personality, while suppressing others. The former become the public face of a person, his persona, while the others become a shadow. But the shadow does not die and does not go away. It manifests itself in the objects of a person's hatred, random slips of the tongue, slips of the tongue, perhaps in a hobby. Society is almost omnipotent, but all-sometimes his arms are too short to reach the recesses of human life, so maybe that's where the shadow lives.
Of course, this is only a sketch to the inexhaustible topic of the shadow, but our task is only to interest the reader. I would like him to pick up the wonderful works of the Swiss psychologist and read about all the archetypes. Moreover, psychoanalysis is still a very fashionable direction in psychology.
