METAPHOR AS A MEANS OF SHAPING THE CONCEPT NARCISSISM IN DR. RAMANI’S IT’S NOT YOU

Abstract

This article studies the role of metaphor as a central linguistic and cognitive device in constructing the concept of narcissism in Dr. Ramani Durvasula’s book It’s Not You: Identifying, Escaping and Healing from Narcissistic People. The analysis explores how conceptual metaphors, in particular metaphors of space, visibility, consumption, warfare, and emotional abuse, shape narcissistic behavior as a destructive, disorienting, and depersonalizing phenomenon. Drawing on cognitive linguistics and literary discourse analysis, the study claims that metaphor functions not only as a stylistic enhancement but also as a therapeutic and explanatory tool that remodels readers’ understanding of narcissistic personality. The findings show that metaphor supports the book’s psychoeducational function by giving emotional and relatable form to complex psychological processes.