ON THE QUESTION OF PARODY AS A FORM OF CULTURAL CRITICISM (FOREIGN AND UKRAINIAN CONTEXTS)

Abstract

The etymology of the parody genre not only emphasizes its ancient origins and long history but also hints at its ambiguous positioning as a new text and reflection on the original. Although parody has always been popular in art and media, its presence on the Internet and in the digital space has grown manifold in recent decades. The purpose of the article is to analyze parody as a form of cultural criticism, taking into account the specifics of foreign and Ukrainian contexts of parody. The methodology of the research is based on a cultural approach that allows for the conceptualization of parody as a form of cultural criticism, an interpretive method that helps to reveal the influence of parody on the change and emergence of cultural stereotypes, as well as the systematization and generalization of foreign and Ukrainian experience of parody. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that it is the first time in the Ukrainian academic discourse that the critical and cultural potential of parody is considered. Conclusions. Parody is a complex, multifaceted, and multicultural phenomenon that can take many forms, from satire and irony to absurdity and ridicule, and can be used to achieve a number of goals, including social criticism and entertainment, undermining cultural norms and values, and more. In this sense, despite its definition as a form of literary or artistic expression that imitates, exaggerates, or ridicules the style, tone, or content of another work or genre, postmodern parody also proves to be a powerful tool for conveying an alternative vision, criticizing dominant narratives, and exposing hypocrisy. It can also play an important role in shaping cultural stereotypes, both positive and negative. It is used both to undermine dominant cultural stereotypes and to help perpetuate and reinforce negative stereotypes. In general, there are three scenarios of parody as cultural criticism: reinforcement, challenge, and creation of new stereotypes. In general, there are three scenarios of parody as cultural criticism: reinforcement, challenging, and creating new stereotypes.