This paper presents a review on seven chapters from the text Exploration on Style, Stylistics and the Language of Literature, the contribution of different scholars. This review investigates the argument which every contributor tries to present. The first part of this review is a summary of each chapter in paragraphs, after which a discussion on their stand point is done holistically.
Table of Contents
2. Linguistic Devices in Stylistics
3. Theories and Concepts of Styles and Stylistics: a Diachronic Review
4. Transliteration and Code-Switching as Elements of Style in the Nigerian Novels
8. The Literary Text as a Linguistic Organization
9. Parallelism as Style Index in African Poetry
10. Style and Language in the Nigerian Noel
12. Foregrounding as a Stylistic Element
Objectives and Topics
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of selected chapters from the text "Explorations on Style, Stylistics and the Language of Literature," investigating the core arguments presented by various contributors regarding the nature and application of stylistics in literary analysis.
- The theoretical evolution and definition of style and stylistics.
- The linguistic interpretation of literary texts and their organizational structures.
- The role of cultural elements like transliteration and code-switching in Nigerian literature.
- Stylistic indices in poetry, such as parallelism and foregrounding.
- The debate on subjectivity versus objectivity in stylistic analysis.
Excerpt from the Book
The Literary Text as a Linguistic Organization
B.O. Nwokolo in chapter eight titled “The Literary Text as a Linguistic Organization” looked at the characteristic nature of language as a system amd its functional role of communication and expression of thought with literature having no other mode of expression than language. Nwokolo in this chapter probed the concept of text, what it is and what it is not, and also explored text as a linguistic organization which consist of phonological, graphological and lexico-grammatical features. According to Nwokolo, there are texts of different kind, but the literary text is a makeup of various linguistic particles in language, style and form which presents it as an organization; a system which is made up of carefully orchestrated devices for informative purpose.
Summary of Chapters
2. Linguistic Devices in Stylistics: This chapter defines style as a mode of expression and explores the orchestration of various linguistic features like grammar, sound, and graphology within stylistics.
3. Theories and Concepts of Styles and Stylistics: a Diachronic Review: This section examines the historical evolution of theories surrounding style and how diverse scholarly perspectives have shaped the current understanding of the field.
4. Transliteration and Code-Switching as Elements of Style in the Nigerian Novels: The author discusses how Nigerian writers utilize indigenous language patterns and code-switching to add cultural flavor, arguing that these should be viewed as valid stylistic choices rather than errors.
8. The Literary Text as a Linguistic Organization: This chapter analyzes the literary text as a complex system of phonological, graphological, and lexico-grammatical features that function to communicate meaning.
9. Parallelism as Style Index in African Poetry: This chapter focuses on how poets use repetition and parallelism, rooted in African oral tradition, to project messages and clarify poetic themes.
10. Style and Language in the Nigerian Noel: This chapter explores the relationship between an author’s language use and their personal perspective, specifically examining how stylistic elements portray themes like war and its aftermath.
12. Foregrounding as a Stylistic Element: This chapter defines foregrounding as a deliberate creative act in language use and discusses its various forms, such as alliteration and assonance, as essential tools for defamiliarizing a text.
Keywords
Stylistics, Linguistic Devices, Literary Text, Foregrounding, Parallelism, Code-Switching, Transliteration, African Poetry, Language Variation, Literary Analysis, Authorial Intent, Subjectivity, Language Organization, Rhetoric, Narrative Style.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this review?
The review provides a summary and critical discussion of seven selected chapters from the book "Explorations on Style, Stylistics and the Language of Literature," examining the authors' diverse arguments on how style functions within literary texts.
What are the central thematic areas explored in the text?
The central themes include the definition and evolution of stylistic theories, the linguistic structure of literature, the impact of cultural expression in Nigerian novels, and specific poetic devices like parallelism and foregrounding.
What is the ultimate goal of the research presented in the book?
The contributors aim to bring stylistics into the limelight, demonstrating how a linguistic approach to literature explains the relationship between language use and artistic function.
Which scientific methods are primarily highlighted?
The work emphasizes a linguistic approach to literature, utilizing analysis of phonological, graphological, and lexico-grammatical features to deconstruct how authors manipulate language for specific effects.
What is covered in the main body of the review?
The main body consists of summaries of individual chapters and a holistic discussion that synthesizes the authors' arguments regarding the objective and subjective nature of stylistic analysis.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as stylistics, literary organization, foregrounding, linguistic variation, and authorial style.
How does the reviewer address the concept of "the death of the author"?
The reviewer suggests that stylistics cannot completely ignore authorial intention, arguing that analysts inevitably bring a degree of subjectivity to their interpretations of a text.
Why are transliteration and code-switching significant in the context of the Nigerian novel?
They are significant because they represent a conscious stylistic choice by authors to integrate indigenous language and cultural identity into English, moving beyond a colonial linguistic framework.
What does the review conclude about the objectivity of stylistic analysis?
The review concludes that stylistic analysis is inherently impressionistic rather than purely objective, as the analyst's own perspective and interpretation of the author's intent inevitably shape the final result.
According to the text, what is the role of the "literary analyst"?
The role of the literary analyst is to bring out stylistic features and provide vivid explanations for them, focusing on the text as a linguistic organization while acknowledging the challenges of determining the author's hidden intent.
- Quote paper
- Chidinma Dike (Author), 2020, A Book Review on the Text "Explorations on Style, Stylistics and the Language of Literature" Ed. E.J. Otagburuagu, L.C. Ogenyi, J.C. Ogbodo, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/520280
