Lecture 9 Theme: mudle lexical stylistic devices the plan

Allusions
An allusion is a reference, by word or phrase, to a historical, literary, mythological, biblical fact or to a fact of everyday life made in the course of speaking or writing. The use of allusion is based on the accumulated experience and knowledge of the writer who presupposes a similar experience and knowledge in the reader. As a rule no indication of the source is given. This is one of the notable differences between quotation and allusion. Allusions and quotations may be termed nonce-set expressions because they are used only for the occasion. Allusion, as has been pointed out, needs no indication of the source. It is assumed to be known. Therefore most allusions are made to facts with which the general reader should be familiar. However allusions are sometimes made to things and facts, which need commentary before they are understood. To these
belongs the allusion-paradox, for example:
A nephew called Charlie is something I can’t. Put up with at all since it makes me his aunt.
The allusion here is made to a well-known play and later film “Charlie’s Aunt” in which a man is disguised as a woman. Sometimes allusion is the only key, which is used in the text to understand
the whole meaning of the text. Allusions are used in different functional styles, but their function is everywhere the same. The deciphering of an allusion, however, is not always
easy. In newspaper headlines allusions may be decoded at first glance. E.g.: “Pie
in the sky for Railmen”. (Daily Worker). The most people in the USA and Britain know the refrain of the workers` song: “You’ll get pie in the sky when you die”. The use of part of the sentence-refrain implies that the railmen had been given many promises but nothing at the present moment. Linguistically the allusion “pie in the sky” assumes a new meaning – “nothing but promises.”
Through frequency of repetition it may enter the word stock of the English language as a figurative synonym. We distinguish two structural types of allusion. The first type is when allusion is realized through one word or a word combination. In this case the reference is made to certain famous names, events or facts: Henry VIII, Ann Boylein, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Voterloo.
The second type of allusion is realized through its interpretation, so to say explanation given in the text. In the following example the allusion which is based on a biblical legend,
embraces several ideas and may be called sustained: And had it been the dove from Noah’s ark
Returning there from her successful search, Which in their way that moment chanced to fall,
They would have ate her, olive brance and all. (Byron) Byron gives the biblical legend a slightly humorous interpretation. Allusions hinting at well-known situations help the writer to be more
explicit and clear. The stylistic function of allusion is various: either to make comparison, or to produce a humorous effect.
Questions
1. What is the linguistic nature of a stylistic deviсe of antonomasia?
2. What letters are the only marks of the use of antonomasia?
3. Speak about the function of antonomasia in the belles-lettres style.
4. What is the nature of the stylistic device simile?
5. What is the difference between simile and comparison?
6. What are the formal elements of simile?
7. What components does the simile consist of?
8.What are the stylistic functions of simile?
9. Comment on logical and figurative periphrasis.
10. What is the nature of euphemistic periphrasis?
11. What is the stylistic function of periphrasis?
12. What effect do euphemisms produce?
13. What groups of euphemisms are usually distinguished?
14. Characterize the stylistic device of hyperbole.
15. What is the distinction between stylistic device of hyperbole and mere exaggeration?
16. What is the stylistic function of hyperbole?