Tsepa O. Evolution of the author's image in the poetry of Taras Shevchenko (1837-1847).

The paper is devoted to complex investigation and solving the author's problem in the context of the literary criticism of the XX century. Modern methodological tendency has been recognized as the priority in this thesis. Main theoretical and methodological aspects for such a literary category as "the author's image" have been specified and peculiar holistic approach to the latter category has been provided. New integrated concept treating the category of "author's image" has been worked out and the results of its complex analysis in the poetry of Taras Shevchenko (1837-1847) have been suggested: i.e. main interests, values and preferences have been outlined and systematized, some system-forming qualities have been found out, evolutional changes and the degree of their correspondence to the biographical author have been pointed out. It was proved in the thesis that the integrated unity of the author's image of the defined period was presented by artistic world of Shevchenko's lyrics.