NEW APPROACHES IN STYLISTICS: A REVIEW OF THE CONTROVERSIES LEADING TO THE PROLIFERATION OF DIVERSE APPROACHES

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to systematically characterize the theoretical
constructs of textual analysis as the basis for the controversies in
stylistic analysis. Thus, the article discusses various approaches as
reported in the stylistics literature along with their respective
strengths and weaknesses. It also attempts to shed some light on the
controversies of stylistics in general as well as the various
approaches. The paper discussed the rationales that underpin the
development of diverse approaches in Stylistics with a view to
elucidate the critics’ perspectives by means of the researcher’s
perspective in relation to their statements concerning stylistics. The
paper also highlights the interrelationship between the prevailing
constructs and the emergence of new approaches as the
shortcomings of the former led to the emergence of the latter.
Therefore the paper realised the choice of linguistic features as
postulated by Halliday and Mathiessen (2014) as an ideal theoretical
underpinning in stylistic analysis.