STYLISTICS • concentrates on the literary texts
themselves, and how readers are
What is Stylistics?
affected by those texts.
• is an aspect of literary study that
• matched by a similar critical
emphasizes the analysis of literary
movement in the USA called New
texts from a linguistic orientation.
criticism based on the description
• It looks at language as an integral
of literary works as independent
component of literature on which
aesthetic objects.
interpretation is based.
Levels of language & branches
Literature - more popular
of language study
‘noncanonical’ forms of writing.
1. Phonology – the sound of spoken
language; the way words are
Caveat – creativity and innovation
pronounced. Phonology
in language use should not be seen
2. Graphology – the patterns of
as the exclusive preserve of literary
written language; the shape of
writing
language on the page.
3. Morphology – the way words are
The purpose of Stylistics
constructed; words and their constituent
• to explore creativity in language
structures.
use
4. Syntax Grammar – how words combine with
other words to form phrases and sentences.
Roman Jakobson is an important
5. Lexicology/Lexical analysis – The words we
figure who contributed to the use; the vocabulary of a language.
development of Stylistics. 6. Semantics – The meaning of words and
• formalist sentences.
• literary vs “ordinary language”
(1921) Subjunctive Mood
• defamiliarization Used to express a condition
contrary to fact; used to
19th-century literary criticism express a wish, demand,
• concentrated on the author, and prayer, hope, order, etc.
the text based criticism of the two followed by “that”.
British critics Richards and Violates grammar rules.
William Empson rejected that
approach and replaced it with The Chunking Method
another approach called Practical 1. When Zeus goes to the nymphs,
criticism who is
always there to entertain Hera?
Practical criticism Echo
2. When Hera realized Echo’s Verbals – are words that are
intention, what punishment/curse formed from a verb, but are used
did she give to Echo? as a noun, adjective, or an adverb.
only repeat what other
people say – and never speak Examples: To study (infinitive) or
unless someone else speaks not to study (infinitive) is a decision
first students make. Studying (gerund)
3. Who went to the mountains for is hard work. The student, studying
hunting? diligently (participle), received all
Narcissus A’s.
4. When Echo tried to embrace
Narcissus, Participle – is a verb form that can
what did he do? be used as adjective.
Narcissus flung the nymph Participles end in –ing, -ed, -d, or –
away t, and are used as an adjective
5. Which goddess granted Echo’s (describes noun or pronoun)
echo that
she be killed? Example:
Aphrodite Crying is a present participle,
6. When Narcissus tried to dip his formed by adding - ing to the
face on the cool water, what did he present form of the verb (cry).
see? Exhausted is a past participle,
His reflection formed by adding – ed to the
7. When Narcissus plunged his present form of the verb (exhaust).
arms into the water, what
happened? Participial phrase – is made up of
His face had vanished a participle and its modifiers. The
8. When Narcissus died, what grew entire phrase is used as an
up on the place of his death? adjective
Flowers
Example:
VERBALS Located in front of a noun:
Holding the torch steady, Mary
The Three Kinds of Verbals: approached the monster.
1. Gerunds Located after the noun or pronoun:
2. Infinitives Mary, holding the torch steady,
3. Participles approached the monster.
The participial phrase consists of a
present participle (holding), an
object (the torch), and an adverb Ex. I don't like to cry in public
(steady). unless I'm getting paid for it.
“to cry” is the infinitive
Gerund looks like a verb, ends in –
ing; used as a noun. Infinitive phrases – consist of an
It was once a verb but has become infinitive and are followed by any
a noun. objects, and/or modifiers.
Look similar to a participial phrase The entire phrase may be used as
because they both can end in –ing. a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.
Ex. I must study to pass my
REMEMBER: A gerund functions as winter exams
a noun, and a participle functions with good marks.
as an adjective
Infinitives Used as an Adjective
Uses of Gerunds
• The best time to visit (modifies
Used as a noun: Florida)
Subject: Swimming is a great form Florida is December through April.
of exercise. • If you want to information about
Subject Complement: A great computers, that is the magazine to
form of exercise is swimming. read (modifies magazine).
Object of Preposition: Before • Peanuts and raisins are good
swimming in a lake, … snacks to take on a camping trip
Direct Object: He likes swimming (modifies snacks).
in the ocean.
Indirect Object: (You) Give Infinitives Used as a Noun
swimming a chance.
To install (subject) the ceiling
Gerund phrases – consist of a fan took two hours.
gerund and any objects and/or Winona’s ambition is to become
modifiers (predicate nominative) a doctor.
Ex. I enjoy riding my bike in the Shina likes to skate (direct
evening. The phrase is used as a object) but not to ski (direct
direct object. object).
To lift these weights (used as a
Infinitives – is a verb form that subject) takes great strength
can be used as a noun, an
adjective, or an adverb. Infinitives Used as an Adverb
Most infinitives begin with to +
verb.
The gymnasts were ready to
practice
(modifies the adjective ready)
their routines.
• The camel knelt at the pool to
drink (modifies knelt).
• The crowd grew quiet to hear
the speaker (modifies the verb
grew)
REMEMBER an infinitive phrase
consists of an infinitive together
with its complements and
modifiers.