Abstract
This article studies the role of allusion as a cognitive and stylistic device in the formation of the concept NARCISSISM in Wendy T. Behary’s book “Disarming the Narcissist: Surviving and Thriving with the Self-Absorbed”. The study researches how the allusions to mythology, literature, psychology, pop culture, and different types of discourses give a significant contribution to the conceptual structure of narcissism and shape the reader’s perception and interpretation of narcissistic behavior in their personal experiences. It argues that allusion serves not only as an expressive stylistic tool but also as a mechanism of conceptual framing, impacting readers’ vision of narcissistic personality traits, interpersonal manipulation, and relational issues. The research is based on cognitive linguistics, linguoculturology, concept theory, and discourse analysis. The findings demonstrate that allusion in Behary’s work strengthens the pragmatic impact of the text, expands the conceptual representation of narcissism, and helps create a culturally marked meaning of narcissistic behavior. By means of referring to shared cultural background, Behary transforms narcissism from a clinical term into a clear scenario-based model that most readers can relate in everyday life.References
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