The Interpersonal Function Of Mood And Modality System In Pride And Prejudice

In the tradition of stylistic studies, the main interest has been focused on "the text" of "the writer-text-reader" relations. However, Systemic Functional System (SFS hereafter) may enable us to do comprehensive studies of the three at the same time, because the basic tenet of the systemic-functional theory is that language is social in nature. SFS is based on Halliday' s functional grammar. It believes that language possesses three metafunctions: "ideational function" , "interpersonal function" and "textual function" . This paper will attempt to employ SFS theory, especially its theory concerning "interpersonal function" , analysising the "writer-text-reader" relations in Jane Austen' s novel Pride and Prejudice, and proposing test and verification to the interpersonal function of Mood and Modality system in the novel. This paper falls into two levels. On the first level, the theory of "interpersonal function" will be applied to the analysis of literary samples from the novel Pride and Prejudice. On the second level, based on the above-mentioned analysis, this paper will test and summarize the interpersonal function of Mood and Modality system in the novel, that is, firstly, the system may serve as a bridge between Austen the author and her readers, by reflecting the author Austen' s attitude towards her characters; secondly, the system has value in the portrayal of characters and in aiding readers to understand characters; and lastly, the system may reflect the relational transformation among certain characters.