刘鑫

【Abstract】Stylistic analysis refers to the linguistic approach to literature.Stylistics will mainly focus on the register theory，taking Charles Dickens masterpiece Oliver Twist as a good example to demonstrate how the register theory is embodied in the work.

【Key words】register theory； stylistics； Oliver Twist

1.A Stylistic Analysis of Context in Oliver Twist

The term ‘context was first put forward by the great Polish-born anthropologist B.Malinowski who stressed on the need to interpret speech in its context of situation.

（1）Context of Situation.On the one hand，situational context includes the elements in the current context，e.g.，topic，participants，communicative medium； on the other hand，situational context includes the behavior principles which are determined by the social cultural background and moral ideas.

In Oliver Twist，Dickens often purposely uses the wrong form of the comparative and superlative degree of adjectives in Mr.Bumbles speech when he describes Oliver Twist.He adds the suffixes -er and -est to the adjectives which should normally be preceded with more and most in standard English or uses a double superlative with adding both most and the suffix -est to them.The unique use of comparative and superlative degree of Adjective makes Mr.Bumbles speech quite deviant in this novel.For examples：

“We1l！ Of all the artful and designing orphans that I ever see，Oliver，you are one of the bare-facedest.”（Oliver Twist，Ch4）

（2）Context of Culture.Context of culture refers to the historical knowledge，the beliefs，attitudes，values shared by members of a discourse community.

In Oliver Twist，Charles Dickens offers some background information on the various aspects of Victorian Englands history，including some issues related to the New Poor Law，sickness and death，etc.Charles Dickens addresses some social central issues in his masterpiece Oliver Twist.Through the various characters in the novel such as Mr.Bumble and the circumstances related to the workhouse，apprenticeships，and funerals and the New Poor Laws，Oliver Twist，helps the reader understand the historical value.

2.Register Theory in Oliver Twist

According to Halliday，register refers to the “functional variety of language”.The theory of register attempts to uncover the general principles which govern the ways the language we speak or write varies according to the type of situation.The register theory includes the field of discourse，the tenor of discourse and the mode of discourse.

（1）The field of discourse.It refers to what is happening，the subject matter and setting.Everyday an individual will pass through different roles and in each he or she will use languages that are typical of the activity involved.

（2）The tenor of discourse.It refers to who is taking part，the writers attitude towards self，topic，and reader.Actually，it refers to the interpersonal relationship.Personal tenor is concerned with the degrees of formality of the language used.People are generally aware of their own status in relation to one another and will speak or write more or less formally or intimately.

（3）The mode of discourse.Generally speaking，it refers to the medium or channel through which language is used.Just as we switch roles through the day，so we continuously change the

（4）Deviation of Register.A chief feature of deviation of register is Register Mixing.For example，The next morning，the public were once more informed that Oliver Twist was again To Let，and that five pounds would be paid to anybody possession of him would take （Oliver Twist，Ch3）

If used appropriately，language should conform to the field of discourse，tenor of discourse and mode of discourse.However，sometimes language is deliberately used to form the deviation of register.Here is an example.

“Mrs.Sowerberry！ Will you have the goodness to come here a moment，my dear？”（Dickens，1991：24）

“and although I was not snoring，I shall snore，gape，sneeze，

laugh，or cry，as the humor strikes me； such being my prerogative.”（Dickens，1991：227）

The two sentences are analyzed together because they have much in common concerning register.The field of discourse is all about common family matters which take place in the family； the tenor of discourse is intimate for the interpersonal relationship of the speakers is husband and wife； and mode of discourse is spoken.So，the language used in this context should be causal and informal.

3.Summary

Register in literature is an important means of revealing character.For this reason，the writer may reveal the basic qualities of a character by the mode of language he uses.It is a mark of a writers skill if he can match the language of his character with his social status.

References：

[1]Dickens，Charles.Oliver Twist[M].Shanghai：World Book Publishing Company，2010.

[2]廉运杰，万平.英汉文体学对比研究[M]沈阳：辽宁大学出版社，2011.

[3]徐有志.英语文体学教程[M].北京：高等教育出版社，2005.