Linguistic Approaches to Literature

Practising Stylistics marks the career of Professor Paul Simpson, a leading figure in the discipline of stylistics, and one who embodies the practical and rigorous linguistic analysis of literary works and social discourse. A prominent figure in the Poetics and Linguistics Association (PALA) since its earliest days and Baines Professor of English Language at the University of Liverpool, Simpson has been a leading light and a steady hand on the stylistics tiller across his career. In this volume his friends, colleagues, co-authors and former students offer a series of essays that speak to the range and importance of Simpson’s influence.
In its contribution and design, this book reflects the artisanal ethos of stylistics itself. Each contribution includes a detailed illustrative example of stylistics practice, with argument and method open to examination, replication and constructive critical discussion. In this volume full-length stylistics essays are interspersed with shorter ‘vignettes’ that demonstrate practical applications of stylistics which are anchored by strong theoretical awareness. As such, each chapter is representative of the rigorous stylistic analysis championed by Simpson.
Demonstrating the value of stylistic approaches to literary criticism and discourse analysis by illustrating its workings is the most accessible way of reaffirming the discipline and so this book will likely be a key resource for scholars seeking the sort of exemplary stylistic practice inspired by Paul Simpson.