LEXICAL AND GRAMMATICAL COHESION IN THE SELECTED POEMS OF ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING

Abstract

This paper is an effort to investigate functions of cohesive devices in Browning's (1850) poems. It also tries to explain the role of analysis in shaping the meanings and interpretations of literary texts and discourses. In addition, this study reveals that how cohesion contributes to the overall understanding and themes of poetry. Moreover, the significance of the paper is grounded on the fact that how linguistic and discourse analysis of literary texts can be used in order to clarify themes and interpretations of any text. Six poems have been selected purposively to analyze lexical and grammatical cohesion in Browning's (1850) poems. The poems were analyzed through qualitative descriptive method. The researchers have also used close reading technique in order to identify cohesive devices in the selected poems. The analysis revealed that almost all grammatical and lexical cohesive devices were used in the Browning’s (1850) poems. However, frequently used cohesive devices were references and conjunctions. The main functions of the cohesive devices used by Browning in her poems were; to convey meanings clearly, avoid repetition, connect different ideas and to express Victorian and other literary themes. This study suggests other researchers to conduct studies on other literary and non-literary texts from the perspective of cohesive devices. Similarly, they are also suggested to investigate stylistic features and thematic values in Browning’s (1850) poems.