An Analysis Of The Bluest Eye From The Perspective Of Register Theory

The Bluest Eye is the first work of Morrison who won the Nobel Prize in 1993. It has drawn great attention by literary critics since its publication. The Bluest Eye shows Morrison's extraordinary charm and her unique writing features. However, most of the comments are in the literary critical field. However, this thesis aims at analyzing this masterpiece of Black literature from the functional linguistic perspective of register.Register theory is a very important theory in functional grammar. Halliday holds that register includes three variables: field, tenor and mode. Field of discourse is always equated with subject matter. Tenor of discourse answers the question of 'to whom' the speaker is communicating. Mode of discourse determines the means of communication.The thesis applies register theory to the analysis of The Bluest Eye, in terms of the three registry factors. Field analysis illustrates the subject matter of The bluest Eye, and it also helps to reveal the background information of the characters in the novel, including their occupation, education, and social position through the language they use and the topics they talk about; Tenor reveals personalities of the characters as well as the relationship among them by analyzing the language varieties they choose in different situations; Mode reveals Morrison's unique techniques of telling stories including monologue, dialogue, multiple narratives and creative arrangement of written form.