Project Abstract

Abstract
This research project delves into a stylistic analysis of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel “Half of a Yellow Sun.” Adichie is renowned for her unique style of writing, which blends vivid imagery with poignant storytelling. The study aims to uncover the various stylistic devices employed by Adichie in crafting this compelling narrative set against the backdrop of the Nigerian Civil War. Through a detailed examination of the novel's language, narrative structure, and character development, this research seeks to highlight the stylistic nuances that contribute to the overall impact of the text. Using a qualitative research approach, the study utilizes close reading techniques to analyze key passages from the novel, focusing on Adichie’s use of language, symbolism, and narrative techniques. By examining the author’s choice of words, sentence structures, and literary devices, the research aims to elucidate how Adichie creates a rich tapestry of storytelling that immerses readers in the world of her characters. Furthermore, the study explores the thematic significance of Adichie’s stylistic choices, shedding light on how these elements enhance the novel’s exploration of themes such as love, war, identity, and resilience. Additionally, the research investigates the cultural and historical contexts that inform Adichie’s stylistic approach in “Half of a Yellow Sun.” By situating the novel within the broader literary tradition of postcolonial literature and Nigerian storytelling, this study aims to provide a deeper understanding of how Adichie’s stylistic choices both reflect and challenge existing literary conventions. Through a comparative analysis with other works in the African literary canon, the research seeks to highlight the ways in which Adichie’s unique style contributes to the ongoing evolution of African literature. Overall, this research project offers a comprehensive examination of the stylistic features of “Half of a Yellow Sun,” shedding light on the intricacies of Adichie’s narrative technique and thematic concerns. By delving into the stylistic choices that define Adichie’s writing, this study aims to deepen our appreciation for the artistry and complexity of her storytelling. Through a nuanced exploration of language, imagery, and narrative structure, this research seeks to illuminate the ways in which Adichie’s stylistic prowess elevates “Half of a Yellow Sun” into a seminal work of contemporary African literature.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Language is a tool or a code system used for human communication. It is made up of sounds or graphic symbols, which users or speakers have accepted to use as units of communication.Language is a symbol system based on pure or arbitrary conventions infinitely extendable and modifiable according to the changing needs and conditions of the speakers.Robins (1985).According to Lyons (1970) Languages are:The principal systems of communication used by particular groups of human beings within the particular society (Linguistic community) of which they are members.The use of language is not restricted to only human beings but for the purpose of this study, the researcher is concentrating on language used by human beings. Language as a human property is used to perform various functions in a society such as communication, instruction and socialization, which is why its study isexiiindispensable. Linguists over the years have studied languages and have actually expanded the wings of language to various levels of Linguistic analysis or description such as phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and Discourse.The graphic representation of sounds (speech sounds) on paper is called writing. Writing is done in different ways for various purposes and by different people. It is because of this that the study of stylistics becomes necessary and an important area to both linguists and critics.According to Syal and Jindal (2010)“Stylistics is that branch of linguistics which takes the language of literary texts as its object of study”.Stylistics is the study of various styles used in literary and non – literary texts which distinguishes the uniqueness of a writer from another.Style is a pattern of linguistic features that distinguish a piece of writing from another; it also distinguishes the personality of an author from another. No wonder the French scholar Buffon said “Style is the Man”.exiiiSyal and Jindal (2010) opined that:Out of the many types of variations that occur in language, it is the variation in literary style that is most complex, and thus offers unlimited scope for linguistic analysis. (61).Stylistics is very important in Literature because each literary text represents an individualâs use of language which reflects his unique personality, thoughts and style.The study of literary styles shows the linguistics repertoire of a writer. We often hear of the style of Armah; the style of Milton and the simplicity that is associated with Wordsworth.Stylistics looks at the choice of words, the sentence patterns and figurative usage of words by a writer. Figurative expressions which are sometimes called “Rhetorical Expression” helps a writer to be vivid in his description of events and ideas.According to Ezugu:Figures of speech, sometimes called “rhetorical” figures are expressions, phrases or words used to convey more than their ordinary literal meaning. These figures, if properly used, not only enrich but strengthen and give life to our writing.Ezugu (2011)exivSome of the features used in a achieving style include:- Diction, figurative usage and various sentence structures such as:- Parenthetical Expressions: These are words, clauses or even another sentence inserted at the middle or end of a sentence such as after thoughts.- Compound Sentence: A compound sentence is one which consists of three or more simple sentences joined together by a co-ordinating conjunction or semi – colon.- Complex Sentence: A complex sentence consists of two parts. The main clause and one or more subordinate clauses.- Compound complex sentence: This consists of two or more main clauses and one or more subordinate clause.Other features of style include:- Graphology: The analysis of hand writing to interpret character and personality. Aspects of which are ”Italics, Bold sentence” and capitalization”.exv- Code Switching: A system of switching from one linguistic code to another.- Code – Mixing: A systematic way of mixing two or more linguistics codes in an utterance or writing.- Transliteration: This is the literal translation of the syntatical structure of a language into another language1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEMAlthough many works have been done on stylistics, little work has been done on style used in Chimamanda AdichieâsHalf of a yellow sun which was published in 2006. Most of the works done were based on general analysis of how her works reflect the realities of the society. To the knowledge of this researcher, no work has been done on the stylistic analysis of the devices used in her work, hence, the decision of the researcher to investigate the style of the author in this her second widely acclaimed novel Half of A yellow Sun.exvi1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDYThis study aims at an identification of the predominant stylistic devices used in Chimamanda Adichieâs Half Of A Yellow Sun and the effect these devices have in the over all evaluation of the novel.