A rhetorical stylistic analysis of selected proverbs from the book of proverbs
The present study aims at analyzing proverbs from the Book of Proverbs rhetorically and stylistically to identify the features of such proverbs that belong to the genre of wisdom literature which affects people’s lives significantly. The data which consists of 60 proverbs that represent the th...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2024
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| Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25025/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25025/1/Gema%20Online_24_4_15.pdf |
| Summary: | The present study aims at analyzing proverbs from the Book of Proverbs rhetorically and
stylistically to identify the features of such proverbs that belong to the genre of wisdom literature
which affects people’s lives significantly. The data which consists of 60 proverbs that represent
the three themes under investigation were analyzed using Mann and Thompson’s (1988) model of
rhetorical analysis and Simpson’s (2004) model of stylistic analysis. Data analysis yielded that the
macro level (nucleus) was used more frequently than the micro level (satellite) both in the whole
data and across the themes. Declarative clauses were used more frequently than imperative and
interrogative ones in both cases to produce more persuasive proverbs. Compound sentences were
the highest in frequency followed by complex and then simple sentences to strongly influence the
readers. Using parallelism and repetition in proverbs contributed to producing more persuasive
proverbs whereas adjectives and adverbs affected the way the audience felt. This study sheds light
on proverbs which contribute to spreading wisdom among the readers and help them to face the
challenges of life more wisely, make wise choices and differentiate between what is good and
what’s bad. It also identifies the features which make those proverbs more persuasive and more
coherent to help when composing new ones. |
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