THE REPRESENTATION OF STYLISTIC DEVICES IN THE PORTRAYAL OF THE MAIN CHARACTER, MR. DOMBEY, IN THE NOVEL “DOMBEY AND SON” BY CHARLES DICKENS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/2522-4077-2025-214.1-15Keywords:
style, narration, stylistic analysis, literary devices, character representationAbstract
This article presents a comprehensive stylistic analysis of the main character in “Dombey and Son”, a novel by Charles Dickens. The research is based on selected excerpts from the text, which most vividly reveal the author's use of stylistic devices in shaping the images and psychological portraits of a key character. The study focuses on how Dickens’s language, narrative techniques, and choice of stylistic means contribute to character development and the conveyance of social critique. Stylistics, as a branch of linguistics, examines the expressive resources of language and the ways in which they are used in literary texts to achieve various artistic effects. This includes the analysis of phonetic, lexical, syntactic, and semantic devices that help enhance meaning, evoke emotions, and create a distinct authorial style. In literary stylistics, particular attention is paid to how language forms are used not only to tell a story but to build atmosphere, emphasize character traits, and communicate deeper ideological messages. In “Dombey and Son”, Dickens employs a rich array of stylistic tools such as metaphor, irony, contrast, repetition, epithets, and personification to construct vivid and memorable characters. The selected extracts analyzed in this article demonstrate how these devices work in concert to underline the cold pride of Mr. Dombey. Through detailed stylistic analysis, the article uncovers how Dickens’s linguistic choices serve not only to entertain but also to critique Victorian social norms and values, particularly in relation to family, commerce, and emotional repression. The article aims to highlight the close connection between style and meaning, showing how Dickens’s mastery of language shapes the reader’s perception of his characters and themes. The analysis underscores the importance of stylistic elements as a powerful tool in the author’s literary arsenal, making “Dombey and Son” a compelling and multi-dimensional narrative.
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