Introduction To Literary Stylistics: A Discussion Of Dominant Structures In Verse And Prose

0/5 ( ratings)

Introduction to Literary Stylistics demonstrates the relevance of linguistics to literary studies. The author, who is a poet and reviewer as well as a lecturer in linguistics and literature, shows the student the value of analytical knowledge in an area of profound emotional investment. She considers the views of creative writers on writing, treats stylistics as an extension of practical criticism and explores texts as 'acts of communication' rather than 'bundles of linguistic features'. Dominant structures in verse and prose passages are outlined without the use of complex linguistic terminology: as a result the more difficult practical and theoretical problems of selective description are opened up for the non-specialist. In particular the principles of selection do not ignore the uniqueness of texts. After an introductory chapter on language, 'reality' and the individual, separate chapters are devoted to translation, poetry and prose. In short, this is a pioneering study which will be invaluable to all undergraduate and postgraduate students of linguistics and literary criticism.