A Functional Approach To Modality In Character Analysis

Modality, as a philosophical and linguistic concept, has been the object of continual scrutiny in logic, philosophy and particularly in linguistics. Its history could be date back to the age of Aristotle. In the late twentieth century, the development of linguistics aroused many linguists to study modality at home and abroad. Researchers in different disciplines have approached it from different angles and with different methods. Systemic-functional linguists, represented by Halliday, approach it in a penetrative and delicate way and their view seems unique. They argue that modality is a subsystem of the mood system, realizing the interpersonal meanings of language. Modality is to show the speaker's attitude or judgment. It is not only associated with modal operators, but also with interpersonal metaphors, modal adjuncts and even with other modal expressions like modal adjectives and modal nominal equivalents. This paper, based on the theoretical framework of Halliday's systemic-functional grammar, assisted with other modality theories, ventures to investigate Hardy's novel Far from the Madding Crowd, and hopes to reveal how modality functions to create characters.The dissertation falls into six chapters. Chapter one reviews the history of modality at home and abroad, introduces the research aims, significance and method. Chapter two leads to the systemic-functional grammar and Halliday's theory of modality. Chapter three analyses Bathsheba, the protagonist's personality from various aspects including modal operators, modal adjuncts and interpersonal metaphors, etc.. Chapter four through comparison of different periods, analyses the protagonist's mental change. Chapter five analyses the protagonist's social status through her interaction with people around her. Chapter six is conclusion, which includes research findings, limitations and the future perspectives for study.