LECTURE 2

Linguistic Mode vs. Literary Mode of Stylistics

Linguistic Mode of Stylistics

o Focus: Examines the technical aspects of language, like grammar, sentence structure, sounds,
and word meanings.

o Objective: Understand how language works and creates meaning.

o Approach: Scientific and analytical, based on linguistic theories.

o Scope: Analyzes all types of texts, including speeches, advertisements, novels, and poems.

Examples of Analysis

o Phonological Analysis:

o Studying sounds like rhyme and rhythm in poetry.

o Lexical Choices:

o Analyzing the frequency of words or types of vocabulary used.

o Syntax:

o Finding patterns in sentences and word choices.

o Pragmatics:

o Looking at hidden meanings in conversations.

Literary Mode of Stylistics

o Focus: Looks at the artistic side of texts, like themes, imagery, and storytelling
techniques.

o Objective: Understand how language creates beauty and emotional effects.

o Approach: Interpretive and subjective, often linked to literary theories.

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 o Scope: Mainly focuses on creative works, like poems, stories, and plays.

Examples of Analysis:

1. Imagery and Symbolism:

o Exploring how imagery (e.g., “a red rose” symbolizing love) enhances meaning.

2. Narrative Style:

o Analyzing first-person vs. third-person narration and its effect on storytelling.

3. Themes and Motifs:

o Identifying recurring ideas or symbols in a text (e.g., the theme of freedom in George
Orwell’s 1984). (repeated symbols like surveillance (close observation) show how
freedom is lost.)

4. Tone and Mood:

o Examining how stylistic choices create emotional resonance(deep, full), like melancholy
or suspense.

Key Differences Between the Modes

Aspect Linguistic Mode Literary Mode

Focus Language structure Artistic and emotional effects

Objective How language works How language creates beauty and emotions

Approach Scientific and objective Interpretive and subjective

Text Both literary and non-literary texts Primarily literary texts

Types

Examples Grammar, syntax, semantics Themes, imagery, and symbolism

Examples in Practice
Phrase: "To be or not to be" (Shakespeare)

o Linguistic Mode: Analyzes the balance of the words and the possible meanings in
context.

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 o Literary Mode: Examines how the phrase reflects Hamlet’s emotional struggle and its
existential theme.

How the Modes Work Together

1. Complementary Perspectives:

o The Linguistic Mode explains how language works.

o The Literary Mode explores the deeper emotional and artistic meaning.

2. Broader Understanding:
By combining both modes, we can better understand texts as a whole—how they are built
(linguistics) and how they move us (literature).

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Questions
Subjective Type Questions
1. What is the difference between Linguistic Mode and Literary Mode in Stylistics?
The main difference between the two modes is their focus and approach.
Linguistic Mode looks at the technical parts of language, like grammar, sentence structure, sounds, and
word meanings. It is scientific and focuses on how language works to create meaning. This mode is used
for both literary (like novels and poetry) and non-literary texts (like speeches and advertisements).
Literary Mode looks at the creative and emotional parts of a text, such as themes, imagery, and the effect
it has on the reader. It is interpretive and focuses on how language creates beauty and feelings, mainly in
literary works like stories, poems, and plays.

2. How does the Linguistic Mode of Stylistics analyze a text? Provide an example.

The Linguistic Mode analyzes the formal aspects of language.

For example, in analyzing the phrase “To be or not to be” from Shakespeare's Hamlet, the linguistic mode
would examine the structure of the phrase, the balance of the words, and how each part contributes to the
meaning.

3. What is the significance of the Literary Mode of Stylistics in understanding a text?

The Literary Mode helps to understand how a text's artistic elements—such as imagery, symbolism, and
themes—affect the reader emotionally and intellectually.
For instance, in the phrase “To be or not to be”, the literary mode would explore Hamlet's existential
crisis, examining the deep emotional weight of the question and how it reflects his internal struggle.

4. Explain how Imagery and Symbolism contribute to the meaning of a literary text.
Imagery and Symbolism play a crucial role in enhancing the meaning of a literary text.
o Imagery creates vivid mental pictures in the reader’s mind. For example, when a “red rose” is
used in literature, it often symbolizes love or passion.

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 o Symbolism uses objects, characters, or events to represent abstract ideas or deeper meanings. For
instance, in George Orwell's 1984, the symbol of surveillance (e.g., "Big Brother") represents the
loss of personal freedom.

Objective Type Questions

Short Questions

1. What is the focus of the Linguistic Mode?

Answer: The Linguistic Mode focuses on the technical aspects of language, such as grammar,
sentence structure, and sounds.

2. What does the Literary Mode analyze?

Answer: The Literary Mode analyzes the artistic and emotional elements of a text, such as
themes, imagery, and symbolism.

3. What is the objective of the Linguistic Mode?

Answer: The objective of the Linguistic Mode is to understand how language works and creates
meaning.

4. What is the approach of the Literary Mode?

Answer: The approach of the Literary Mode is interpretive and subjective, focusing on the
emotional and aesthetic impact of a text.

5. Can the Linguistic Mode be applied to non-literary texts?

Answer: Yes, the Linguistic Mode can be applied to both literary and non-literary texts, like
speeches and advertisements.

6. What kind of texts does the Literary Mode mainly focus on?

Answer: The Literary Mode mainly focuses on creative works like poems, stories, and plays.

7. What is an example of an analysis in the Linguistic Mode?

Answer: An example is analyzing sentence structure and word choices.

8. How does the Literary Mode view the phrase “To be or not to be”?

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 Answer: The Literary Mode would analyze the existential theme and emotional struggle
conveyed by the phrase.

9. What does pragmatics study in Linguistic Mode?

Answer: Pragmatics studies the hidden or implied meanings in conversations.

10. How do the Linguistic and Literary Modes complement each other?

Answer: The Linguistic Mode explains how language works, while the Literary Mode explores its
emotional and artistic impact.

Fill-in-The-Blank Questions

1. The Linguistic Mode of Stylistics focuses on the _______ aspects of language, like grammar,
syntax, and phonology.

Answer: technical

2. The Literary Mode of Stylistics focuses on the _______ elements of a text, such as themes and
imagery.

Answer: artistic

3. The Linguistic Mode uses a _______ and analytical approach based on linguistic theories.

Answer: scientific

4. The Literary Mode often uses an _______ and subjective approach influenced by literary
theories.

Answer: interpretive

5. The Linguistic Mode applies to both literary and _______ texts, such as advertisements and
speeches.

Answer: non-literary

6. One example of analysis in the Linguistic Mode is examining _______ choices, such as the types
of words used in a text.

Answer: lexical

7. The Literary Mode is mainly focused on texts like _______ and plays.

Answer: poetry

8. An example of analysis in the Literary Mode is examining the _______ and symbolism in a text.

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 Answer: imagery

9. The Linguistic Mode focuses on how language _______ and contributes to meaning.

Answer: works

10. The Literary Mode is concerned with how language creates _______ and emotional responses.
Answer : beauty

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the Linguistic Mode focus on?

a) Artistic elements of a text
b) Grammar, sentence structure, and word meanings
c) Emotional effects of a story
Answer: b) Grammar, sentence structure, and word meanings

2. Which of the following is the main objective of the Literary Mode?

a) To analyze syntax and phonology
b) To understand how language creates beauty and emotional effects
c) To study the frequency of words in a text
Answer: b) To understand how language creates beauty and emotional effects

3. Which of the following best describes the approach of the Linguistic Mode?
a) Interpretive and subjective
b) Scientific and objective
c) Artistic and evaluative
Answer: b) Scientific and objective

4. What type of texts does the Literary Mode primarily focus on?
a) Both literary and non-literary texts
b) Primarily literary texts like novels, poetry, and plays
c) Scientific articles and advertisements
Answer: b) Primarily literary texts like novels, poetry, and plays

5. In the phrase “To be or not to be” from Hamlet, which mode would focus on the sentence
structure and balance of words?
a) Literary Mode
b) Linguistic Mode
c) Neither
Answer: b) Linguistic Mode

6. Which of the following is an example of analysis in the Literary Mode?

a) Analyzing sentence structure
b) Identifying recurring themes or symbols
c) Studying the use of alliteration
Answer: b) Identifying recurring themes or symbols

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7. Which aspect does the Linguistic Mode NOT focus on?
a) Phonology
b) Symbolism
c) Syntax
Answer: b) Symbolism

8. What is the primary focus of Literary Mode in Stylistics?

a) Analyzing grammar and sentence structure
b) Exploring how language creates emotional and artistic effects
c) Studying word frequency
Answer: b) Exploring how language creates emotional and artistic effects

9. Which of these would most likely be analyzed in the Linguistic Mode?

a) The metaphor in a poem
b) The structure of a sentence
c) The theme of love in a novel
Answer: b) The structure of a sentence

10. What is the main difference between the Linguistic Mode and the Literary Mode?
a) Linguistic Mode is scientific and objective, while Literary Mode is interpretive and subjective.
b) Linguistic Mode focuses on emotional effects, while Literary Mode focuses on sentence structure.
c) Linguistic Mode applies to only poetry, while Literary Mode applies to all texts.
Answer: a) Linguistic Mode is scientific and objective, while Literary Mode is interpretive and
subjective.

True / False Questions

1. Linguistic Mode focuses on artistic elements like themes, imagery, and symbolism.

False (Linguistic Mode focuses on the technical and structural aspects of language, such as grammar,
sentence structure, sounds, and word meanings.)

2. Literary Mode of Stylistics analyzes all types of texts, including speeches and advertisements.

False (Literary Mode primarily focuses on creative works like poems, stories, and plays.)

3. The objective of Linguistic Mode is to understand how language works and creates
meaning.

True

4. Literary Mode takes a scientific and objective approach to analyzing texts.

False (Literary Mode takes an interpretive and subjective approach.)

5. Pragmatics in Linguistic Mode examines hidden meanings in conversations.

True

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 6. The Linguistic Mode is only concerned with literary texts like novels and poems.

False (Linguistic Mode analyzes both literary and non-literary texts, including speeches and
advertisements.)

7. Imagery and symbolism are examples of analysis in the Literary Mode.

True

8. The Literary Mode focuses on how language operates technically in a text.

False (Linguistic Mode focuses on how language operates technically, while Literary Mode
focuses on artistic and emotional effects.)

9. In analyzing the phrase "To be or not to be", the Literary Mode would examine its
structure and syntax.

False (The Linguistic Mode would analyze the structure and syntax, while the Literary Mode
would focus on the emotional and existential meaning.)

10. The goal of the Literary Mode is to explore how language creates beauty and emotional
effects. True

Matching Questions:

Column A

1. Linguistic Mode
2. Literary Mode
3. Phonology
4. Syntax
5. Pragmatics
6. Imagery
7. Themes
8. Tone

Column B
A. Focuses on how language evokes emotions and meaning
B. Analyzes the structure of sentences
C. Studies the sounds in language, such as rhyme or rhythm
D. Examines the implied meanings and conversational context
E. The study of recurring ideas or symbols in a text
F. Examines how stylistic choices create emotional effects
G. Focuses on the technical aspects of language, such as grammar and sentence structure
H. Describes the visual elements in a text, such as "a red rose" symbolizing love

Answers:

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1. Linguistic Mode - G (Focuses on the technical aspects of language, such as grammar and
sentence structure)
2. Literary Mode -A (Focuses on how language evokes emotions and meaning)
3. Phonology - C (Studies the sounds in language, such as rhyme or rhythm)
4. Syntax - B (Analyzes the structure of sentences)
5. Pragmatics - D (Examines the implied meanings and conversational context)
6. Imagery - H (Describes the visual elements in a text, such as "a red rose" symbolizing love)
7. Themes - E (The study of recurring ideas or symbols in a text)
8. Tone - F (Examines how stylistic choices create emotional effects)

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