MAED 545 INTRODUCTION TO STYLISTICS

NATURE OF STYLISTICS: STYLE AS A CHOICE,

DEVIATION, TEMPORAL PHENOMENON,
SITUATION & INDIVIDUAL
By JOHN MARK F. VALENCIA

Stylistics serves as a guiding light in the vast field of language and literature,
illuminating the intricate web of expression woven by both authors and public speakers.
Stylistics, at its core, delves deeply into the artistry of language, demonstrating how authors
and speakers make deliberate choices that affect the texture of their communication.
These choices show up in various ways, illustrating style as choice—the thoughtful choice
of words, phrases, and structural elements that establish distinctive voices and convey
nuanced messages. Style can also be found in the audacious world of deviation, where
writers willfully violate grammar rules in an effort to elicit a reaction. However, style is not
constant; it is a temporal phenomenon that changes over time along with language and
culture, reflecting its own era. Additionally, it is closely related to circumstance, adjusting to
context and audience to create memorable moments out of a simple conversation or a
formal address. Furthermore, perhaps the most profound aspect of style is probably that it
is highly individual, capturing the essence of the person and displaying their experiences
and worldview. In order to understand how these factors—choice, deviation, temporality,
situation, and individuality—paint vivid portraits of their distinct styles and shape the very
essence of their communication, this paper examines the language and expression used by
well-known foreign and local authors and public speakers.
The following works are examples of excerpts of poems, speech, novels and quotes
from five different authors who showcased distinctive language used in their works and its
stylistics analysis. These were classified into styles as choice, temporal phenomenon,
individual, deviation and situations.

Style as Choice

One of the most renowned and influential writers of the 20th century was Ernest
Hemingway, an American novelist and short story writer. He was born in Oak Park, Illinois,
on July 21, 1899, and passed away in Ketchum, Idaho, on July 2, 1961. Many of his stories
and novels are set in various places he lived or traveled, such as Spain, Cuba, and Africa,
and frequently draw from his own experiences as a war correspondent, fisherman, and
adventurer. Some of his most well-known works include "The Old Man and the Sea," "A
Farewell to Arms," "For Whom the Bell Tolls," and "The Sun Also Rises." (Nunez, 2022).
 JOHN MARK F. VALENCIA

Meanwhile, we will be analyzing the shortest story he ever made and how this exhibits the
style as a choice.

Ernest Hemingway

“For Sale: Baby Shoes (Never Worn)"

Source: Nunez, 2022

Similar to Hemingway's "A very short story," it can be seen that he uses brevity,
which is a style of choice, but the severity of that brevity is considered extreme in this
six-word story, which can be considered as flash fiction. "Baby Shoes (Never Worn)" is a
very short story often attributed to Hemingway, and it's a classic example of style as choice
and style as deviation.
This six-word story is a perfect illustration of how just a few skillfully chosen words
can elicit strong feelings and convey a full narrative. Hemingway's decision to use only six
words forces the reader to use their imagination to fill in the blanks, creating a narrative
that is both impactful and succinct. The reader is made an active participant in creating the
meaning of the story through the deliberate use of brevity as a style choice that appeals to
their emotions.
Hemingway conveys a narrative with only six words that alludes to loss, suffering,
and unmet expectations. Readers can infer their own interpretations of the story because
there aren't any explicit details about the characters or the circumstances, illustrating the
strength of implication and the significance of carefully chosen words. Hemingway's
signature minimalist approach emphasizes what is left unsaid and enables the reader to
connect on a profound emotional level.

Style as Deviation
A variation that deviates from the standard or norm is referred to as a style
deviation. It is predicated on the idea that there are laws, customs, and guidelines that
direct various activities that must be carried out. There is deviation when these rules are
not followed. In order to sound stylistically significant, the author/poet steers clear of the
conventional form of writing and employs deviations. Thus, the author is allowed to deviate
from grammar conventions for poetic purposes (Tariq, 2018).
There are lots of well-known authors in world literature that use the style of
deviation in their works, one of the most prominent was James Joyce in his masterpiece
“Ulysses”. However, let us divert our attention from world literature and thus focus on
artists or poets in the Philippines. One of my favorite authors who uses the style of
deviation is Paolo Manalo.
Paolo Manalo is a poet from the Philippines who teaches at the University of the
Philippines' College of Arts and Letters. He worked as the Philippines Free Press' literary
editor for a while. His first collection of poems, Jolography, won the first place in poetry at
the 2002 Palanca Awards and the 2004 U.P. Outstanding Literary Work, Gawad Chancellor

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Para sa Natatanging Likha ng Sining. At the University of St. Andrews additionally acquired
his Ph.D. in creative writing (Macdowell, 2007).
Taken from his collection of poems is the famed “Bowl Limn Yeah” which was
published in that same year. Below is the copy of his poem.

BOWL LIMN YEAH

By Paolo Manalo

See cell yeah, who bought

Who bad, sew cat cut
A one, mass a rough
He mass in. Moo
Comma put la, seek
Moo rah mass socket
The hill doom ooh do
Wall doom ooh do wall
Pay roe Hindi boon tease

Source: Yaasuna (2018)

The poet's original use of two languages which is English and Filipino, ingeniously
describing an eating disorder. This led to the selection of his poem as one of the literary
pieces in Philippine literature with extreme use of the nature of stylistics’ style as deviation.
It is easy to notice that Manalo achieved this, by using similar-sounding words in place of
the words' original orthographic representations. For instance, the word "bulimia," which is
used to describe the eating disorder that is the subject of this poem, is substituted in the
title "BOWL LIMN YEAH."
Throughout the poem, all the words used are English lexicons and meaningless in
the English language context. However, the author actually narrates through the lines in
Filipino language. The use of words and other language games that actually help readers
understand the poem's underlying message can be seen as playful language. This writing
style is not conventional and breaks the norm of writing. Yet, undoubtedly shows the
writer's wit by mixing up the English and Filipino languages.

Style as Temporal Phenomenon

Shakespeare's Sonnet 130 is a classic work of poetry that begs for a stylistic
examination through the prism of current events. This sonnet, which was written in the late
16th century, has enduring appeal across the centuries, making it an intriguing case study
of how literary genres withstand the test of time and remain relevant to readers even in
contemporary settings.

Sonnet 130: My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun

My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;

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If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;

If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground.
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.

Source: The Norton Anthology of English Literature (2000)

In the first quatrain, the speaker's mistress is compared to the sun, but without the
usual hyperbolic praises. He acknowledges her real appearance by stating that her eyes are
not like the sun, but rather "Coral is far more red than her lips' red." The temporal
dimension emerges here as Shakespeare questions the conventional beauty standards of
his time and introduces a more authentic portrayal.
Shakespeare follows this pattern throughout the entire sonnet, emphasizing the
temporal change in stylistic norms. The analogy to music, roses, and fragrances adopts a
more sober and realistic tone, signaling a change from the extravagant to the relatable.
This temporal phenomenon is aided by the poem's volta, a Shakespearean sonnet
characteristic that changes the tone from apparent criticism to a more affable and sincere
conclusion.
The inverted sentence structure is still present in the sonnet, which also exists
alongside his other sonnets and plays, if we look at the second line of the second quatrain,
"But no such roses see I in her cheeks." It soon becomes clear that these linguistic quirks
represent style as a temporal phenomenon that almost all medieval authors shared during
that time. As a result, the intentional use of inversion both subverts the conventions of
Shakespeare's day and gives the sonnet a timeless quality. Readers are reminded of how
language changes as they interact with the poem's inverted sentence structures.
The reception of Sonnet 130 by modern readers is a part of its temporal
phenomenon. The sonnet's themes of authenticity and defiance of conventional beauty
standards are still relevant today, despite the centuries that have passed. This sonnet has
been able to transcend its historical context and resonate with readers across generations
thanks to Shakespeare's decision to depart from the poetic conventions of his time by
embracing a more authentic portrayal.

Style as Situation

Style as Situation in Stylistics refers to the stylistic elements that are influenced by
the context of the communication. These variables include the mode of communication

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(spoken or written), the type of participation (dialogue or monologue), the formality level,
the type of discourse (technical or non-technical), and others.
While only a small number of written texts or literary works use style as a situation
in stylistics, there are many examples of speakers who frequently used the said style in oral
discourse, particularly in speeches in the field of public speaking. Speeches frequently
modify their language and language usage to suit their audience and their delivery
objectives. Public speakers highly customize their communication to the particular situation
they are in, and through this tactic, they can better connect with, engage, and convey their
intended message to their audience.
One of the most well-known speeches delivered with very simple topics yet with
highly appropriate constructions of state is the “The Power of Words” by Mohammed
Qahtani. This speech won the International Toastmasters in 2015. While we are not going
to delve into all of the passages in the speech, we will constructively criticize one of the
highlight passages that brought this speech to the top of the list.
The third and second to the last paragraphs entails the climax of the speech. Hence,
here is where the analysis is set to take place.

Except of Mohammed Qahtani: 'Words are power, words could be your

power', Power of Words, Toastmasters International – 2015

My friend Nasser loved his father, idealized his father, he would do

anything to make him happy, but his father was the kind of person who was not
easy to impress and year after year Nasser tried and his father’s like ‘no’. First
year in college, Nasser had got straight A’s and he thought to himself this is it, this
is what will finally make my dad proud. He picked up the phone, he called his
dad, “Dad, I got straight A’s. Are you proud? Please tell me you are a proud
father.” “Yeah, listen son, I’ll have to call you back, I’m busy.”

‘I’m busy’, was the single sentence that broke the Camel’s back. And he
started drinking, doing drugs, hanging out with the wrong crowd. Why? Why are
you throwing your life away? If the one person in the world that I care about the
most doesn’t care then, then why should I. And one evening I got the phone call,
Nasser is in the emergency room, drug overdose. I rushed to that hospital. I saw
him on that bed, and I saw that machine go beep, beeep, beeeeeeeep. And I saw
doctors try to bring him back to life. Clear, [ssphhh] clear [sssphhh], clear
[sssphhh] — it’s clear that a single word could have saved his life.

Source: Speakola, 2015

The first noticeable manner how the speaker crafted the piece is the incorporation
of narrative structure in the two passages. This narrative allows him to have effective
storytelling to arouse the emotion of the audience on the narrated story of his friend.
The repetition and rhythm come in second. In this passage, repetition is used in the
phrases "year after year," "I'm busy," and "Clear, [ssphhh] clear [sssphhh], clear [sssphhh]."
This produces a rhythmic flow that grabs the listener's attention and highlights the

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important points. In addition to simulating the rhythm of a life-saving effort, the word
"clear" is used repeatedly, heightening the urgency of the circumstance.
Third is the informal tone. The use of informal language, colloquial language
through direct speech makes the speech sound relatable and approachable. This helps
establish a connection with the audience and creates a sense of familiarity. This is
illustrated in the dialogue between Nasser and his father "Dad, I got straight A’s. Are you
proud? Please tell me you are a proud father." Furthermore, this brings the situation to life
and helps the audience to connect with the characters' experiences.
Additionally, the speaker uses a strong rhetorical statement to conclude the
passage: "And it's clear that a single word could have saved his life." This encourages the
audience to think about the value of communication, especially in urgent situations. It
conveys a message that provokes thought and sticks in the minds of the listeners.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of communication and emotional
connections by incorporating or inserting a story into their speech. The passage
emphasizes how a single word, an affirmation, could have had a big impact on Nasser's
course in life. This message is more powerful because it speaks to the audience's own
experiences and values.
Using direct speech, repetition, and rhythm to effectively weave a compelling
narrative, the speaker in this passage conveys a thought-provoking message that appeals
to the audience's emotions and experiences that are highly vertical or corresponds to his
argument or point how words have power.

Style as Individual
In stylistics, the term "style as individual" refers to a person's particular use of language.
It includes various phrases, words, and other linguistic features that are unique to that person.
This quality is described as a special arrangement of linguistic elements, expressive techniques,
and stylistic elements particular to a particular author, which makes that writer's writings or
even utterances instantly recognizable (Study.com, 2003). Consonant to this, JD Salinger is one
of the distinctive authors in world literature. Despite that all authors have their unique identity in
terms of their work, Salinger’s is easily noticeable among others.
American author J.D. Salinger, who was born Jerome David Salinger in 1919 and died
in 2010, is best known for his classic book "The Catcher in the Rye," which was first
published in 1951 and introduced readers to the disillusioned and intensely introspective
teenage protagonist, Holden Caulfield. Salinger perfectly encapsulated adolescent
alienation, rebellion, and the quest for authenticity in a world he perceived as fake through
Holden's first-person narrative. With its honest portrayal of youth, unique narrative voice,
and exploration of themes like isolation, identity, and the loss of innocence, "The Catcher in
the Rye" became a classic work of American literature (Goodreads, 2014).
Why it is very difficult to analyze the novel “The Catcher in the Rye”, let us take a
close look at one of the most notable passages or quotes from the novel.

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Excerpt from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger:

"Anyway, I'm sort of glad they've got the atomic bomb invented. If there's ever
another war, I'm going to sit right the hell on top of it. I'll volunteer for it, I swear
to God I will."

Source: Goodreads, 2014

In this excerpt from "The Catcher in the Rye," J.D. Salinger showcases his unique
style through the voice of the protagonist, Holden Caulfield. The informal and colloquial
language, as well as Holden's distinct way of expressing himself, are indicative of Salinger's
individual style. The use of phrases like "the hell," "sort of," and the repetitive sentence
structure emphasize Holden's idiosyncratic manner of speaking, contributing to the overall
style of the text. The reader can recognize Salinger's authorial fingerprint through the way
he crafts the narrative voice and dialogue, making the text stand out with its distinctive and
memorable style.

References:
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2004, February 26). Ernest Hemingway summary.
Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/summary/Ernest-Hemingway

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2023, August 15). J.D. Salinger. Encyclopedia

Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/J-D-Salinger

Goodreads.com. (2014, June 18). Excerpt from “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger.
www.goodreads.com. Retrieved August 28, 2023, from https://www.
goodreads.com/quotes/100663-anyway-i-m-sort-of-glad-they-ve-got-the-atomic-bomb

Macdowell. (2007). Literature-Poetry. www.macdowell.org. Retrieved August 26, 2023, from

https://www.macdowell.org/artists/paolo-manalo#:~:text=Paolo%20Manalo%20is%20
a%20Filipino%20poet%20who%20teaches,the%20literary%20editor%20of%20the%20
Philippines%20Free%20Press.

Nunez. (2022, September 23). A Simple Analysis of Ernest Hemingway’s Shortest Story
About Baby Shoes. The Writing Cooperative. Retrieved August 26, 2023, from
https://writingcooperative.com/a-simple-analysis-of-ernest-hemingways-shortest-stor
y-about-baby-shoes-1d7f5655372f

Speakola. (2015). Mohammed Qahtani: “Words are power, words could be your power”, Power
of Words, Toastmasters International - 2015. Speakola.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023,
from https://speakola.com/other-events/mohammed-qahtani-toastmasters-power-of-

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words-2015#:~:text=Words%2C%20when%20said%20and%20articulated,happiness%
20using%20only%20your%20words.

Study.com. (2003, June 8). What is individual style in stylistics? Retrieved September 1, 2023,
from https://homework.study.com/explanation/what-is-individual-style-in-stylistics.
html

Tariq, Mohammad. (2018). Style, Stylistics and Stylistic Analysis: A Re-evaluation of the
Modern-day Rhetorics of Literary Discourse. 4. 46-50.

The Norton Anthology of English Literature. (2000). Sonnet 130: My mistress’ eyes are nothing
like the sun by William Shakespeare. Poetry Foundation. Retrieved August 26, 2023,
from https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45108/sonnet-130-my-mistress-eyes-
are-nothing-like-the-sun

Yaasuna. (2018, November 26). Bow Limn Yeah SHS 21st Century Literature. Slideshare.
Retrieved August 26, 2023, from https://www.slideshare.net/kirigayaasuna
07/bow-limn-yeah-shs-21st-century-literature