Views: 2,450
Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 15. Number 3, September 2024 Pp.89-103
English Language Teaching Department, Faculty of Education,
Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq
English Language Teaching Department, Faculty of Education,
Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq
English Language Teaching Department, Faculty of Education,
Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq
Vivid imagery and intricate tapestry of linguistic features are essential to grasp literary significance and appreciation in Dylan Thomas’ poems. This study focuses on one of his most significant poems, Before I Knocked for an in-depth investigation. The study is significant in because combining both the theory of foregrounding and the checklist is unique in this type of study. Therefore, the study aims to analyze Thomas’ selected poem and demonstrate how and why various linguistic elements are systematically utilized to create value and quality in the poem. Concerning this, the study utilises qualitative descriptive analysis relying on stylistic analysis within which the theory of foregrounding supplemented by Leech and Short’s checklist, is applied. Ultimately, the study finds that Thomas has employed linguistic features and foregrounding aspects systematically and coherently to carry meaning and theme and relate the form and the content of his work. The study also recommends integrating linguistic features in literary stylistic analysis is essential for learners and pedagogical purposes.
Ahmad, R. S., Meena, R. S., & Muhammed, D. S. (2024). Foregrounding Aspects in Dylan Thomas’ Before I Knocked: A Stylistic Analysis. Arab World English Journal, 15(3): 89-103. https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol15no3.6
Ahmad, R. S., & Fahmi, I. M. (2023). A stylistic analysis of Dylan Thomas’ “A refusal to mourn the death, by fire, of a child in London.” International Journal of Social Sciences & Educational Studies, 10(1), 93-109. https://doi.org/10.23918/ijsses.v10i1p93
Ackerman, J. (1996). Dylan Thomas: His life and work. Macmillan Press.
Ameen, Z. M. H., & Ahmad, R. S. (2023). Diction and foregrounding in Dylan Thomas’ “And Death Shall Have No Dominion”: A stylistic analysis. Journal of the University of Garmian, 10 (2), 1125-1134. https://doi.org/10.24271/garmian.2023.10290
Chapman, R. (1973). Linguistics and Literature: An Introduction to Literary Stylistics. Edward Arnold Pub. Ltd.
Cirlot, J. E. (1962). A Dictionary of Symbols (2nd Ed.). Routledge.
Emery, C. (1962). The world of Dylan Thomas. University of Miami Press.
Ferber, M. (1999). A Dictionary of Literary Symbols. Cambridge University Press.
Hrushovski, B. (1980). The Meaning of Sound Patterns in Poetry: An Interaction Theory. Poetics Today, 2(1a), 39-56. [online] Retrieved from: < https://doi.org/10.2307/1772351>.
Jeffries, L., & McIntyre, D. (2010). Stylistics. Cambridge University Press.
Leech, G. (1969). A linguistic guide to English poetry. London: Longman.
Leech, G. (1985). Stylistics. In T.A van Dijk (Ed.), Discourse and Literature (pp 39-57). Benjamins Publishing Company.
Leech, G. (2008). Language in literature: Style and foregrounding. Taylor & Francis.
Leech, G.N., & Short, M.H. (2007). Style in Fiction: A Linguistic Introduction to English Fictional Prose. Pearson and Longman
Nørgaard, N., Montoro, R., & Busse, B. (2010). Key terms in stylistics. Continuum International Pub. Group.
Rees, G. (1996). An analysis of language in the poetry of Dylan Thomas (Master’s thesis, McMaster University).
Rudd, W. L. (1971). Images of creation and destruction in the early poetry of Dylan Thomas (Master’s thesis, University of Richmond). University of Richmond Scholarship Repository. http://scholarship.richmond.edu/masters-theses/1050
Samandarov, S. U., Ortiqov, M. I., & Achilov, O. R. (2022). Foregrounding as a literary device. Academic Research in Educational Sciences, 3(10), 538. https://t.me/ares_uz
Short, M. (1996). Exploring the Language of Poems, Plays and Prose. Routledge.
Simpson, P. (2004). Stylistics: A Resource Book for Students. Routledge.
Spencer, J. (Ed.). (1964). Linguistics and Style. Oxford University Press.
Taylor, T.J. (1980). Linguistic Theory and Structuralist Linguist. Pergaman Press.
Thomas, D. (2014). The collected poems of Dylan Thomas: The new centenary edition (J. Goodby, Ed.). Weidenfeld & Nicolson.
Tindall, w. Y. (1962). A Reader’s Guide to Dylan Thomas. Farrar, Straus and Cudahy.
Turner, G.W. (1973). Stylistics. Middlesex: Penguin Books.
Verdonk, P. (Ed.). (1993). Twentieth-Century Poetry: From Text to Context. Routledge.
Verdonk, P. (2013). The stylistics of poetry: Context, cognition, discourse, history. Bloomsbury Academic. Retrieved August 11, 2023, from <http://dx.doi.org/10.5040/9781472542151>.
Wales, K. (2011). A dictionary of stylistics (3rd ed.). Routledge Taylors & Francis Group.
Widdowson, H. G. (1975). Stylistics and the Teaching of Literature. Longman.
Williams, D. M. (1970). Romanticism in Dylan Thomas’ poetry (Master’s thesis, Texas Tech University). Texas Tech University
Wilson, N., & Taylor, N. R. (2015). The A to Z Guide to Bible Signs and Symbols: Understanding their Meaning and Significance. Baker Books.
Dr. Rawand Sabah Ahmad is a lecturer of English language and linguistics at Tishk International University. He obtained his M.A. degree from Suleymania University and his Ph.D. from Soran University. He specializes in stylistics and currently teaches undergraduate courses in Iraqi Kurdistan. Additionally, he teaches linguistics and translation. His research interests include discourse analysis and the application of stylistic techniques in language teaching.
ORCiD ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6082-2095
Reman Sabah Meena is an Assistant Lecturer at Tishk International University. He holds an M.A. in ELT from Tishk International University. He currently serves as the Program Coordinator for the Foundation Year of the Faculty of Education. His research interests include ELT, TESOL, and Educational Management and Leadership.
ORCiD ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6971- 4605
Dana Shamsaddin Muhammed, an esteemed English language lecturer at Tishk International University, holds an M.A. degree from Soran University. With a specialization in English literature, he passionately imparts knowledge to undergraduate students in Iraqi Kurdistan. Beyond his core teaching responsibilities, Dana also delves into the realms of short stories and literature. His academic pursuits further extend to exploring psychoanalytic and feminist theories, showcasing a diverse and intellectually stimulating approach to his research interests.
ORCiD ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7620-4109