ABSTRACT This study aims to examine the lexical cohesion realized through lexical cohesive devices in the first four chapters of ―White Fang‖ by Jack London in order to gain an insight i
INTRODUCTION
Rationale
From a linguistic perspective, a text is a communicative event that must satisfy seven standards of textuality to be effective, as outlined by Beaugrande and Dressler (1992) These standards serve as constitutive principles that define the text’s communicative purpose and ensure connectedness through surface-level syntax (cohesion), conceptual relationships (coherence), the attitudes of the author and reader (intentionality and acceptability), information transfer (informativity), situational context (situationality), and intertextual relationships (intertextuality) In linguistics and literary studies, textuality refers to the property that allows successive sentences to form a coherent and meaningful text Among the core domains of textuality—texture, structure, and context—texture specifically involves devices that establish continuity of meaning, ensuring that sentences are interconnected through both cohesion and coherence for effective communication.
Cohesion analysis is increasingly important across various linguistics fields, with scholars like Halliday and Hasan (1976), Halliday and Matthiessen (2004), and Tanskanen (2006) striving to develop comprehensive taxonomies for analyzing all text types As Newmark (1987) highlights, cohesion remains a vital element in discourse analysis and text linguistics, particularly in translation, as it provides insights into how writers structure their messages Cohesion creates textual texture through meaning relations where one element is interpreted in reference to another, ensuring the coherence of the discourse According to Givón (1983), cohesive devices facilitate connected, relevant, and coherent language, emphasizing their role in establishing meaningful text relations.
Among the different types of cohesive devices, namely, reference, substitution, ellipsis, conjunction, and lexical cohesion (Haliday & Hasan,
Lexical cohesion, crucial in 1976 and beyond, plays a vital role across various fields including translation studies, computational linguistics, information retrieval, and education It involves selecting vocabulary that establishes clear relationships between lexical items like words and phrases, thereby ensuring coherence and unity within a text.
Different genres tend to favor specific types of cohesive devices for effective text organization, with cohesion playing a genre-dependent role While cohesion is vital across all discourse types, its dominance varies: some genres rely more on cohesion, while others emphasize coherence in structuring their narratives According to Halliday & Hasan (1976), cohesion is sensitive to discourse variations, with lexical cohesion present universally but distributed differently across genres Certain cohesive links, like referential cohesion, are more characteristic of specific discourses, such as investigations involving participant chains in narrative texts (Fox, 1987).
Despite the crucial role of lexical cohesion in maintaining the unity and connectedness of texts, there are limited descriptive studies on this topic within literary works Existing research has focused on specific aspects of lexical cohesion, such as its role in reframed narrativity in literary translation (Li & Li, 2021), its impact on students' writing (Sadibutar, 2021), and its contribution to text cohesion in EFL students’ expository texts (Adiantika, 2018).
Numerous studies have explored various aspects of lexical cohesion, including the relationship between clauses within clause complexes and the structure and meaning of texts However, research has predominantly focused on fairy tales and short stories, with limited attention given to novels The most recent study examining cohesive devices in Jack London’s "White Fang" (Chapter 5 - "White Fang and the Indians") through Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFG) by Nguyen (2012) primarily analyzed grammatical cohesive devices related to logico-semantic relations such as expansion and projection This study did not address the textual function of lexical devices like thematic progression nor did it explore binomials, a common type of collocation used frequently in literary texts, as a form of lexical cohesion.
I chose Jack London's novel "White Fang" to analyze lexical cohesion within simple clauses and across clause complexes due to its popularity and precise prose style This research offers insights into how lexical cohesion enhances the text's clarity and coherence Additionally, studying "White Fang" provides an opportunity to explore themes of bravery, patience, tolerance, and love conveyed through cohesive devices Analyzing this novel helps deepen understanding of how lexical cohesion contributes to effective storytelling and emotional impact.
Aims of study
This study explores the use of lexical cohesive devices in the first four chapters of Jack London's "White Fang" to analyze how lexical cohesion promotes coherence It investigates the distribution and types of lexical devices employed throughout the text, highlighting their roles in enhancing textual unity Understanding these lexical cohesion strategies provides valuable insights into the narrative structure and authorship style of "White Fang," contributing to broader discussions on effective literary cohesion techniques.
Research questions
To achieve the aims of study, the thesis attempts to answer the following questions
1) What are the lexical cohesive devices used in the first four chapters of ―White Fang‖ by Jack London?
2) What are the lexical ties performed by the lexical cohesive devices used in the first four chapters of ―White Fang‖ by Jack London?
3) What are the textual functions performed by these lexical cohesive devices in Thematic Progression in the first four chapters of ―White Fang‖ by Jack London?
Scope of the study
This study focuses on the first four chapters of Jack London's novel "White Fang," as these sections clearly demonstrate lexical cohesion through the use of lexical chains that establish the story's scenes from the beginning Analyzing these chapters allows readers to understand how lexical cohesion contributes to setting the tone and guiding the narrative The research emphasizes the importance of lexical cohesion in creating a coherent and engaging literary journey Due to the clarity and prominence of lexical ties in the initial chapters, the study is confined to exploring these sections to highlight their role in shaping the story’s coherence.
This article explores the role of lexical cohesive devices in achieving textual cohesion within the first four chapters of "White Fang" by Jack London It examines how these devices facilitate thematic progression and support the overall coherence of the narrative The analysis is grounded in Halliday and Hasan’s (1976) model of lexical cohesion as well as Halliday and Matthiessen’s perspectives, highlighting the functions these devices perform in maintaining text unity Understanding the use of lexical cohesive devices provides deeper insight into the textual structure and narrative development of the story.
This study employs the Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG) analytical framework to examine lexical cohesion It introduces the terms "binomial" and "lexical chain" to describe different types of lexical items contributing to cohesion "Binomial" refers to a fossilized collocation with an irreversible pair of words, used here in a broader sense beyond its linguistic definition Meanwhile, "lexical chain" is defined as sequences of lexical items that establish cohesion within a theme or context across sentences and paragraphs, enhancing textual unity.
This study focuses on lexico-grammar within Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG), specifically examining cohesion through clause complexing, taxis, and logico-semantics It explores issues of interdependency between clauses, such as parataxis and hypotaxis, which describe how clauses are ordered, positioned, and related in complex and simple sentences However, the study does not address these literary terms or delve into the detailed mechanisms of clause relation in texts.
In logico-semantics, the focus is on the relationships between clauses related to extension, elaboration, and enhancement, primarily through lexical relations among words within sentences or clauses This approach emphasizes the connections at the lexical level rather than relying on the projection of locutions or ideas Understanding these lexical relations helps clarify how clauses and paragraphs are interconnected in meaning, highlighting the importance of lexical choices in conveying coherence and elaboration.
Justification of study
This study aims to provide insights into the use of lexical devices to achieve cohesion in literary texts It focuses on analyzing the distribution of different types of lexical devices in the first four chapters of Jack London's "White Fang." The investigation of lexical relations within the text is expected to offer valuable pedagogical implications for teaching and learning English, particularly in assessing the textuality of narrative texts Additionally, learners can leverage these findings to enhance their writing skills in crafting coherent short stories by effectively applying lexical cohesive devices.
Organization of the study
The study is presented in five chapters:
This chapter provides an overview of the study, including the rationale for selecting the topic, the justification of the research, and the specific aims and objectives It also outlines the scope of the study to clarify its boundaries Additionally, the research questions presented here serve as guiding points, enabling readers to easily follow the study's structure and purpose.
LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL
Review of previous studies
The issues of cohesion and coherence in text and discourse have garnered increasing attention from linguists and researchers across various approaches, including lexical semantics and discourse analysis, focusing on semantic relations and thematic progression Studies from descriptive, comparative, and corpus linguistics explore the use of cohesive devices in diverse genres such as novels, standard proficiency tests, and students’ writing on different themes and topics Key areas of focus include the frequency and function of cohesive devices, second language acquisition, and thematic progression strategies Notably, there is an emphasis on lexical devices like Reiteration and Collocation, especially binomials, which are regarded as a subtype of collocation, highlighting their significance in achieving textual coherence.
In view of cohesion in Charles Dickens's novels, Muhsin Al-Maliki (2017) analyzed cohesion in part of Charles Dickens‘s Hard Times (1854) in terms of
Hallidy and Hasan's model was used to analyze five devices that measure their role in aspects of the novel, including characters, themes, and imagery The study found that Dickens skillfully employed these cohesive devices to enhance the texture and overall structure of his novel.
Armaia (2013) analyzed lexical cohesion in Suzanne Collins's *Catching Fire* through discourse analysis, focusing on reiteration and collocation using Halliday and Hasan’s cohesion theory The study identified a total of thirty-five expressions related to reiteration and collocation, including thirteen instances of repetition, seven of near-synonyms, four of superordinate terms, three of general words, and eight of collocations.
Using an acceptability judgment task for the investigation into the acquisition of Binomials by Kuwaiti EFL Learners, Abdullah and his partner
A 2015 study examined whether Kuwaiti EFL learners are aware of English binomials, such as "up and down" or "salt and pepper," and explored how their proficiency levels and the internal syntactic categories affect their knowledge The findings showed that higher English proficiency correlates with better awareness of binomials, with advanced learners outperforming intermediate ones The research also indicated that Kuwaiti EFL learners generally have limited awareness of English binomials, influenced by factors such as L1 negative transfer, cultural-specific items, and limited exposure to certain collocations These insights highlight the importance of targeted exposure and instruction to improve learners' knowledge of lexical collocations in EFL contexts.
Mahlberg (2006) explored lexical cohesion in English language teaching (ELT) through a corpus-based approach, emphasizing the importance of lexis over traditional grammatical distinctions His research highlights that cohesion is created through interconnected lexico-grammatical patterns and overlapping lexical items, supporting a view that language coherence relies on lexical relationships The study demonstrates the connection between communicative methods in ELT and corpus linguistics, offering practical insights into applying corpus theoretical concepts to improve language teaching strategies.
Rahimi (2012) investigated lexical cohesion in English and Persian novels to identify stylistic differences in lexical pattern choices between the two languages The study analyzed 1000-word excerpts from both types of novels and found that Persian novelists tend to use more reiteration and collocation pairs, such as Equivalence and Elaborative collocations, more frequently than English novelists Conversely, English texts prominently feature simpler repetition These differences highlight distinct lexical cohesion strategies, influenced by cultural and linguistic factors.
Nguyen (2012) re-examined key concepts of systemic functional grammar to investigate the logico-semantic relations between clauses in clause complexes Her analysis focused on two primary types of logico-semantic relations: expansion and projection This study aimed to deepen the understanding of how these relations structure meaning within complex clauses By exploring these connections, Nguyen provides valuable insights into the coherence and cohesion mechanisms in language, enhancing linguistic theory and applied grammar studies.
This study analyzes the chapter "White Fang and the Indians" from Jack London's novel "White Fang" using Halliday’s (1994) Functional Grammar framework It reveals that both expansion and projection logico-semantic relations are present, with expansion being more dominant, reflecting the author's focus on describing characters, their behaviors, and actions rather than quoting speech Extension is the most frequent form of expansion, emphasizing the addition of information over explanation In projection, projecting locutions are more prominent than projecting ideas, highlighting the importance of characters communicating through language rather than thoughts The findings also demonstrate the complexity of language and the intricate logical relationships within clause complexes, offering valuable implications for English teaching and learning, as well as avenues for further research.
Qadoury Abed (2010) analyzed thematic progression patterns in Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities," focusing on how themes evolve throughout the literary work The study explores how cohesive devices and thematic development contribute to the overall coherence of the narrative By examining these progression patterns, the research highlights the importance of thematic continuity in storytelling and its impact on reader engagement This analysis provides valuable insights into the application of thematic progression theories in literary analysis, emphasizing their role in enhancing narrative flow and structure.
(1974) This author has established thematic progression patterns and stressed the difference due to the overuse of Constant Theme and Ellipsis formed with repetition, synonymy between theme and rheme
A study by Tran (2019) analyzed the cohesion and coherence of TOEFL iBT’s Reading Insert Text Question (RITQ) to help students better understand factors influencing their performance The research involved examining seven reading passages with insert text questions, using a diagnostic and 10-item questionnaire with 100 students, along with structured interviews with 10 students to gather both quantitative and qualitative data on their difficulties Findings indicated that insert text questions can be relevance-placed within the paragraph, relying on explicit and implicit clues derived from cohesion and coherence, as well as cognitive and contextual inference The study also identified common challenges students face, such as difficulty in recognizing these clues and understanding thematic progression, which hampers their ability to select the most appropriate answer.
Existing research highlights the significance of cohesive devices in enhancing textuality across various genres, yet gaps remain in fully understanding their roles Further investigation is needed to exhaustively examine different types of lexical cohesive devices and their specific functions within texts Identifying key lexical items and analyzing their contribution to the overall structure and meaning of genres like novels is crucial Specifically, exploring how lexical ties and textual functions shape narrative coherence and interpretation in literary works can deepen our comprehension of cohesion in context.
Theoretical Background
This study aims to explore key concepts essential for understanding its core constructs, including the definitions of coherence and cohesion—both grammatical and lexical Additionally, it examines the Theme-Rheme structure and various types of Thematic Progression to provide a comprehensive framework for analyzing text coherence Understanding these fundamental concepts is crucial for interpreting how ideas are logically and linguistically connected within a text, thereby enhancing the clarity and effectiveness of written communication.
Cohesion and coherence, as defined by Brown and Yule (1983: 224), are essential for understanding connections between units in a text or utterance Coherence is a crucial aspect of discourse structure, ensuring the proper arrangement of relationships between propositions to achieve a unified whole These meaningful relationships are reflected through inter-elements in semantics, which help realize the overall coherence of the text While some of these relationships are supported by cohesion tools, coherence can also occur independently of cohesion Overall, coherence is an integral component of semantic organization that contributes to the meaningfulness of a text.
Halliday and Hassan (1976) emphasized that discourse structure primarily relies on semantic rather than syntactic organization, consisting of semantic sentences that contain propositions They explained that certain sentences contribute to discourse through meaningful relationships, or sense, between them These coherent relationships among sentences ensure that the entire set of sentences functions as a relatively complete and unified whole.
Coherence is not only a feature of the text itself but also depends on the reader or listener’s ability to connect and interpret the meaning of the discourse they receive Effective communication relies on both clear textual elements and the audience’s skill in linking ideas to form a meaningful understanding.
Cohesion is a crucial semantic concept that ensures the unity and meaning within a text, serving as the foundation for coherence According to Halliday and Hasan (1976), cohesion forms the basis of a well-structured and meaningful text Lexical cohesion, which links different parts of an essay through elements like synonyms, antonyms, hyponyms, repetition, general nouns, and collocations, helps create a cohesive textual structure Additionally, grammatical cohesion involves the use of references, substitutions, ellipsis, and conjunctions to connect sentences and ideas effectively These cohesive devices are essential for writing clear and coherent essays, as they ensure sentences relate smoothly to each other.
In Cohesion in English, Halliday & Hasan (1976) identifies five general categories of cohesive devices that signal coherence in texts:
Cohesion, as defined by Halliday and Hasan (1976), can be broadly classified into grammatical cohesion—such as reference, substitution, and ellipsis—and lexical cohesion, including reiteration and collocation While conjunctions are often considered a key element of cohesion, Halliday and Hasan regard them as lying on the borderline between grammatical and lexical cohesion In this thesis, conjunctions are treated as grammatical cohesive devices, following the criteria suggested by Halliday and Hasan (1976), and are not the focus of this analysis.
Cohesion and coherence are distinct but related concepts in writing Cohesion refers to the way sentences and ideas stick together, ensuring the text flows smoothly as a unified whole Coherence, on the other hand, pertains to the overall sense and clarity of the text, making sure ideas logically connect and make sense to the reader Coherence relations specifically describe the connections between sentences that contribute to the text's clarity and logical flow Understanding these elements is essential for creating well-structured, easy-to-understand content that resonates with your audience.
Cohesion and coherence relations may be distinguished in the following way A coherence relation is a relation among clauses or sentences, such as elaboration, support, cause, or exemplification
Coherence and cohesion are distinct concepts in text analysis; while cohesion relates to explicit semantic links within the text, coherence involves the underlying semantic and pragmatic relationships that allow readers to interpret the text meaningfully based on their world knowledge (de Beaugrande & Dressler, 1981).
Halliday and Hasan (1976) identified two major categories of lexical cohesion: Reiteration and Collocation, both of which help readers interpret text by linking lexical elements Reiteration involves one lexical item referencing another that shares a common referent, such as the same word, a synonym or near-synonym, a superordinate term, or a general word, thereby reinforcing coherence within the text.
Collocational cohesion enhances the sense of connected discourse by using low-frequency words that frequently co-occur in similar contexts This type of cohesion strengthens the overall coherence of a text, making it more engaging and easier to understand for readers Understanding collocational patterns is essential for creating well-structured and naturally flowing content.
Lexical cohesion is essential for creating coherence in a text by establishing relationships among content words and lexical items (Partridge, 2000:134) Key types of lexical cohesion include repetition, synonymy, antonymy, hyponymy, meronymy, and collocation, which help connect ideas and enhance the flow of the text Understanding these cohesive devices is crucial for effective communication and well-structured writing.
Halliday and Hasan differentiate between reiteration and collocation in linguistic analysis Reiteration involves lexical items that refer back to each other through a shared referent, encompassing repetition, synonyms or near-synonyms, superordinate terms, and general words These phenomena highlight how language uses connected vocabulary to establish coherence and meaning within text Understanding reiteration enhances comprehension of lexical relationships and their role in effective communication.
Collocation involves pairs of lexical items that maintain recognizable lexicosemantic relationships, making co-reference less significant According to Halliday & Hasan (1976), co-reference is not a primary concern in collocation since it focuses on word associations rather than pronoun connections The concept of collocation is comparable to bridging, part-whole relations, or indirect anaphoric relations found in linguistic literature, emphasizing the interconnectedness of related words within a text Understanding collocation is essential for analyzing how words co-occur and establish meaning in context, supporting effective language comprehension and usage.
This study adopts Halliday and Hasan’s definition and model of lexical cohesion as its theoretical framework, modified with Partridge’s (2000) classification to include antonymy and hyponymy within the category of Reiteration, using the term superordinate It also proposes that binomials serve as lexical devices functioning as collocational units, helping to signal the inner textuality and thematic unity of a text or paragraph Additionally, the study examines cohesive ties formed through lexical relations between multiple referring expressions, which contribute to the formation of lexical chains that enhance textual coherence and cohesion.
2.2.4.1 Repetition of the same word(s)
The most direct form of lexical cohesion is repetition of a lexical item; e.g bear in sentence Algy met a bear The bear was bulgy (Halliday, 1985:
310) Here the second occurrence of bear harks back to the first
Repetition is the reoccurrence of words in the text Halliday and Hasan
Repetition, as discussed by 1976 and Tanskanen (2006), is categorized alongside systematic semantic relations under the main theme of reiteration However, this study distinguishes repetition from other semantic relations—both systematic and non-systematic—due to its unique characteristics and significance in language analysis The primary reason for this separation is that the meaning of repetition differs fundamentally from that of other semantic relations, highlighting its importance as a distinct linguistic phenomenon.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
Research design
This study aims to analyze the features of lexical cohesion in the first four chapters of Jack London's "White Fang." Designed as a descriptive research, it seeks both qualitative and quantitative data to explore how lexical cohesion contributes to the text's coherence By examining these aspects, the research provides insights into the text's linguistic cohesion and its role in shaping the narrative The findings will enhance understanding of lexical ties and their significance in literary texts, contributing to broader discourse on cohesion in literary analysis.
1) What are the lexical cohesive devices used in the first four chapters of ―White Fang‖ by Jack London?
2) What are the lexical ties performed by the lexical cohesive devices used in the first four chapters of ―White Fang‖ by Jack London?
3) What are the textual functions performed by these lexical cohesive devices in Thematic Progression in the first four chapters of ―White Fang‖ by Jack London?
This study employs a descriptive research design to systematically analyze the distribution and functional characteristics of lexical cohesive devices in creating lexical bonds within four chapters of Jack London's novel By utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods, the research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these cohesive devices contribute to text cohesion The study is grounded in systemic functional grammar (SFG) and thematic progression theories, offering valuable insights into the linguistic phenomena underlying text cohesion.
Research methods
This descriptive research aims to analyze the characteristics and usage of lexical cohesive devices in novels, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods for a comprehensive understanding While primarily focusing on descriptive analysis, the study also incorporates measurable data to highlight patterns and frequencies of lexical cohesion By employing mixed-method approaches, the research provides valuable insights into how lexical cohesive devices enhance narrative coherence in literary texts.
This study employs a qualitative textual analysis of passages and paragraphs from the first four chapters of "White Fang" to examine the linguistic features that contribute to lexical cohesion By analyzing these extracts, the research identifies key lexical items and their interrelations, providing insight into how cohesive devices facilitate coherence within the text The focus is on understanding how word choices, repetitions, and semantic relationships enhance the overall unity and flow of the narrative, aligning with SEO best practices for linguistic cohesion analysis.
This study employs both quantitative and qualitative approaches to analyze textual content Content analysis, as a key research method, is used to identify specific patterns of words and concepts within Jack London's novel This dual methodology provides a comprehensive understanding of the thematic elements and language use in the literary work, enhancing the depth of the analysis.
This kind of analysis was used by focusing upon counting and measuring the occurrence of specific phrases, words used as lexical items in creating lexical cohesion of the text
This analysis focused on interpreting and understanding specific types of content, particularly identifying lexical cohesive devices using Halliday and Hasan’s framework Key concepts from Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG) by Halliday and Matthiessen (2004) were utilized to explore the relationships and semantic functions of these devices This approach aimed to uncover how cohesive devices contribute to the overall meaning and coherence of the text, providing insights into their role in establishing semantic relations within the content.
This study has some limitations, including its subjective nature, which involves personal interpretation that may impact the reliability and validity of the results Additionally, content analysis is a time-consuming process, as it requires manual coding of large volumes of content, including lexical items, linguistic features, and semantic functions.
Data collection
3.3.1 Sample and sources of data
The investigation analyzed sampling groups from four chapters of "White Fang," focusing on sentences and clauses that contain lexical items contributing to the text's cohesion These lexical items enhance the coherence and flow of the narrative by linking ideas and maintaining thematic consistency throughout the extract The study highlights how lexical cohesion is strategically used to strengthen the connection between different parts of the text, ensuring a unified and comprehensible reading experience.
The lexical items can be single word, a group or a phrase functioning to create lexical cohesion in a sentence or a clause, a paragrap and over paragraphs
The study analyzed a total of 1,002 lexical items within clauses and sentences that employ lexical devices to achieve cohesion This dataset was drawn from the first four chapters of "White Fang," focusing on how lexical choices contribute to the text's overall coherence The findings highlight the role of lexical devices in enhancing textual unity and ensuring cohesive linkages throughout the narrative.
To carry out the data collection properly, the following steps are conducted: Step 1: Justifying theories
A framework of lexical devices was built up using Halliday and Hasan‘s model with assumption, definition and a taxonomy of the lexical cohesive devices
Step 2: Determining tools for data collection
The text analysis with content text analysis for both qualitative and quantitative analysis were used for data collection and analysis
This step involves identifying sentences, clauses, or paragraphs that contain lexical items creating cohesion within the text Selected segments must match the theoretical framework's criteria to ensure they contribute to lexical cohesion These carefully chosen passages form the basis of the study sample, highlighting key cohesive elements that enhance text coherence and readability.
Data was collected to be analyzed in terms of the constructs put in the research questions.
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS
Lexical Devices
As mentioned in Chapter Two, the thesis adopted Halliday and Hasan‘s
Based on Halliday and Mathiessen's (2004) framework of lexical cohesion devices, the model is divided into two main categories: Reiteration and Collocation Reiteration involves the repetition of the same words, as well as the use of synonyms, antonyms, hyponyms, meronyms, and general words to create cohesive links within the text Collocation refers to the co-occurrence of related lexical elements within similar contexts, such as binomials and lexical chains, enhancing the coherence and flow of the discourse This modified approach effectively highlights how lexical choices contribute to cohesive writing in various texts.
Analysis of the first four chapters of Jack London's novel *White Fang* reveals that lexical devices, particularly Reiteration, are the most frequently used stylistic features, surpassing Collocation in occurrence This suggests that London relies heavily on repetition to emphasize key themes and enhance narrative coherence, highlighting the importance of Reiteration in conveying the novel’s core messages while also improving its stylistic rhythm for readers.
Table 4.1 Quantitative results of lexical devices used in first four chapters of the novel White Fang by Jack London
The distribution imbalance in the novel stems from the frequent repetition of the same words, occurring 904 times out of 1,002 instances across the first four chapters Additionally, the text features a higher occurrence of synonyms (27), antonyms (28), hyponyms (9), meronyms (5), and general words (9) compared to collocation patterns like binomials (14) and lexical chains (10), highlighting the linguistic patterns shaping the narrative.
4.1.1 Reiteration used in first four chapters of the novel White Fang By Jack London
Reiteration items can include repetitions of previous points, synonyms, or near-synonyms—words with closely related or identical meanings within a sentence They also encompass super-ordinates, which are general terms that categorize specific items under broader concepts Additionally, general words, such as commonly used nouns, are often employed for reiteration Proper use of these elements can enhance clarity and coherence in content while adhering to SEO best practices by reinforcing key terms and themes.
The cohesive distribution of lexical items of types of Reiteration is shown in Table 4.2 below
Table 4.2 Distribution of Reiteration with lexical items in the first four chapters
Arose on the still air soared upward
As cruel as its own fangs, as merciless as the frost5 itself
The battle began fairly, but it did not end fairly
The elder leader Younger leader
Watching and listening and smelling 1 0,11
5 MERONYMY wolfish dogs Their bristly fur their mouths hair of
REITERATION Same word occurrence % their bodies
Their bodies Eyelashes and cheeks and lips their faces 1 4,4 scarred muzzle, her body, shoulder, neck 1 4,4 hair of his neck and shoulders, his claws 1 4,4
The wolves 24 , their red tongues, their lean sides the undulating ribs skin-bags stretched over bony frames, with strings for muscles, their feet
6 other things: an axe, a coffeepot frying-pan; long and narrow oblong box
– ―cry 1 0,11 wolf – animal 5 0,56 dog - animal 2 0,22
4.1.1.1 Reiteration of the Same Word(s)
The novel prominently features lexical devices through the repeated use of specific words, with 904 instances recorded across the first four chapters This repetition includes words from various parts of speech, appearing both throughout broader story arcs and within individual paragraphs or passages Examples demonstrate how these words are strategically reused in different contexts, enhancing the narrative's cohesion and emphasizing key themes.
Repetition of key lexical items, such as "land" and "trail," within the same paragraph or across consecutive paragraphs plays a significant role in emphasizing the central themes of a text For example, in sentences (1) and (2), the words "land" and "trail" are reiterated within the same paragraph to reinforce their importance, enhancing reader comprehension In the case of (3), the repetition occurs across consecutive paragraphs, creating a cohesive narrative that guides the reader through the context seamlessly Strategically repeating these key terms boosts SEO by highlighting core concepts and improving keyword density, thus making the content more discoverable and engaging.
(1) A vast silence reigned over the land The land itself was a desolation, lifeless, without movement, so lone and cold that the spirit of it was not even that of sadness [p.5]
(2) To the rear, from around the last bend and plainly into view, on the very trail they had just covered, trotted a furry, slinking form
Its nose was to the trail, and it trotted with a peculiar, sliding, effortless gait [p.16]
But there was life, abroad in the land and defiant Down the frozen waterway toiled a string of wolfish dogs
In various contexts, the same words may be introduced at the beginning of a chapter and repeated throughout the subsequent paragraphs under the same chapter title, enhancing coherence and emphasizing key themes This technique helps maintain continuity and reinforces the chapter’s main ideas, making the content more engaging and easier to follow Utilizing repeated phrases strategically can improve readability and strengthen the overall structure of your content.
The Trail of the Meat [p.5]
(4) ‗I‘ll tie ‗em up out of reach of each other tonight,‘ Bill said, as they took the trail [p.14]
The day started on an auspicious note, as they had not lost any dogs overnight With spirits high, they set out on the trail, embracing the silence, darkness, and cold of the morning, ready for the challenges ahead.
The entire wolf pack gathered around her, one by one, until they were united in howling their hunger cry This scene illustrates the powerful use of repetition, emphasizing the collective desperation and primal urge of the wolves Repetition of key words like "wolves," "joined," and "howling" highlights the intensity and unity of their action, making it a compelling example of literary technique These repeated words reinforce the theme of communal yearning and amplify the emotional impact of the scene.
As the wolves became bolder, they frequently disturbed the men's sleep, approaching dangerously close to the camp The dogs' frantic behavior indicated their increasing fear of the wolves, prompting the need to continually replenish the fire to keep the marauding predators at bay This rising threat showcased the growing confidence of the wolves and the ongoing challenge of maintaining safety in the wilderness.
At nightfall, they grouped the wolf-dogs near the spruce trees by the waterway and set up camp, with the coffin serving as both a seat and a table beside the fire The wolf-dogs, gathered on the far side of the fire, snarled and bickered but remained close, showing no desire to venture into the darkness.
Bill expressed suspicion that the animal’s familiarity with campfires is both suspicious and immoral, suggesting it has had significant experiences with humans Henry agreed, noting that a wolf knowledgeable enough to approach dogs during feedings must have learned from past encounters Bill reminisced about a dog once owned by Old Villan that ran away with the wolves, recalling how he shot it out of a pack in a moose pasture over on Little Stick He mentioned that Old Villan mourned the dog deeply, having not seen it for three years, highlighting the deep connection between the dog and the wild pack.
Ben spent extensive time with the wolves, highlighting the importance of understanding their behavior Bill remarked that the wolf might actually be a dog, having frequently eaten fish from humans, indicating its domesticated traits Bill emphasized that if given the chance, he would catch such a wolf to secure valuable meat, underscoring the urgent need to prevent further animal losses This interaction illustrates the close relationship between humans and wild animals, emphasizing survival and resourcefulness in challenging conditions.
Under the moonlit sky, the stealthy creatures glided silently along the snow-covered ground and discovered a fresh set of footprints on a nearby runway One Eye cautiously led the way while his companion followed closely, both examining the broad, velvet-like pads of their paws pressed into the snow.
The laughter described is more terrifying than sadness—mirthless, cold, and inscrutable like the Sphinx's smile, embodying the grimness of eternal as wisdom mocking the futility of life itself.
Lexical Cohesive Devices as Tools for Thematic Progression
Thematic progression refers to the strategies writers use to link themes and rhemes within a clause to those in surrounding clauses, facilitating effective information structuring It serves as a crucial connection between sentence-level and discourse-level elements, promoting cohesion and coherence throughout the text For example, different thematic progression patterns help ensure that ideas flow logically, enhancing readability and understanding for the reader.
A vast silence enveloped the desolate land, which was lifeless and motionless, embodying an emptiness so profound that it transcended sadness.
T1 A vast silence reigned over the land R1
T2 The land itself was a desolation, lifeless, without movement, so lone and cold that the spirit of it was not even that of sadness R2
Thematic Progression in sentence (124) is straightforward, starting with information about females in R1 and developing into T2, which refers to "the land" in R2.
The creature gazed at them with a strangely wistful expression reminiscent of a dog, yet lacking any affection typically associated with dogs Its wistfulness stemmed from hunger, embodying a cruelty as fierce as its own fangs and as relentless as the freezing cold.
T1 It looked at them in a strangely wistful way, after the manner of a dog; R1 T2 but in its wistfulness there was none of the dog affection R2
T3 It was a wistfulness bred of hunger, as cruel as its own fangs, as merciless as the frost itself R3
We can see that in (125) the Thematic Progression applied in this text is also rather simple with some information about the females in R1 to became
T2 (its wistfulness) which was developed with R2 One difference is that T2 was T3 with the pseudo subject It to introduce a new detail about the wistfulness in R3
(126) She looked at him merely with a great wistfulness, but he knew it to be the wistfulness of an equally great hunger [p.23]
T1 She looked at him merely with a great wistfulness R1
T2 but he knew it to be the wistfulness of an equally great hunger R2
In (126) with T2 repeating the pronoun him in R1, the lexical items wistfulness in R1 was repeated in R2
The she-wolf was the first to detect the sound of men's voices and the whining of sled dogs, highlighting her keen senses in the wilderness It was she who initially sprang away from the man trapped in his circle of dying flame, demonstrating her instinctual drive for survival and alertness in the harsh environment.
T1 IT WAS THE SHE-WOLF who had first caught the sound of men‘s voices and the whining of the sled-dogs; R1
T2 and it was the she-wolf who was first to spring away from the cornered man in his circle of dying flame R2
In (127) the thematic progression pattern was done with T1 was repeated in T2, and the same lexical item she-wolf in R1 was repeated and developed in R2
Theme Rheme T1 Red she-wolf Come in with the dogs at feedin‘ time R1
T2 Then she ate the dogfood R2
T3 An‘ after that she ate Bill R3
In (128) the pattern was the same as (124) where the subject in T1 was repeated in T2 and T3 while the predicate ate in R2 was repeated and developed in R3
The young leader, initially snarling fiercely, was eventually overcome by a tickling cough, highlighting his declining strength Weakening and bleeding, he impulsively lunged at the elder to fight, but as his life faded, his movements became feebler, with his vision dimming and his attacks losing force.
T1 The young leader snarled terribly, R1
T2 but his snarl broke midmost into a tickling cough R2
T3 Bleeding and coughing, already stricken he sprang at the elder and fought R3
T5 his legs going weak beneath him R5
T6 the light of day dulling on his eyes R6
T7 his blows and springs falling shorter and shorter R7
In sentence (129), a mixed pattern was employed by combining elements from patterns (124) and (28) The word "snarl" in R1 was repeated in T2, which was developed with "cough" in R2 This lexical item was then repeated in T3 and further developed, illustrating a complex pattern of lexical repetition and development.
In the analysis, R3 highlighted that T4, T5, and T6 employed different wording while maintaining a coherent lexical chain that conveyed related ideas These sections elaborated on the underdog's fighting spirit, resilience, and determination Subsequently, R4, R5, R6, and R7 provided more specific insights into these qualities, detailing the underdog's struggles, strategies, and eventual perseverance, thereby reinforcing the overall narrative of perseverance against odds.
When I saw the animal run off across the snow, I observed its tracks and counted the dogs still present There were six dogs remaining, and the tracks are clearly visible in the snow now.
T1 when I saw it run off across the snow, R1
T2 I looked in the snow an‘ saw its tracks R2
T4 an‘ there was still six of ‗em R4
T5 The tracks is there in the snow now R5
In (130) the subject I was repeated in T2 and the lexical item snow in
In T2, the concept of R1 was reiterated to emphasize its importance The personal pronoun "I" appeared again in T3, highlighting the author's perspective The counting results were introduced in T4 and further elaborated in R4, providing detailed insights The lexical item "track" from R2 was repeated in T5 and expanded with the word "snow" in R5, creating a vivid imagery that ties the ideas together.
This pattern is rather complicated with the constant themes in T1, T2, T3 and different themes come next with T5 repeating R2
The coffin near the fire served as both a seat and a makeshift table, while wolf-dogs gathered on the far side snarled and bickered among themselves Despite their restless behavior, they showed no intention of wandering into the darkness, maintaining a cautious presence around the campfire.
Theme Rheme T1 The coffin, at the side of the fire served for seat and table R1
T2 The wolf-dogs, clustered on the far side of the fire snarled and bickered among themselves R2
This is the pattern with constant theme where the side of the fire in T1 was repeated in T2, serving as space location for the wolf-dogs
I had never seen a red wolf before, as I initially thought it looked almost cinnamon However, the animal's coat was not cinnamon-colored; it was a true wolf coat dominated by gray There was a faint reddish hue in its fur—a baffling, elusive coloration that appeared and disappeared like an optical illusion At times, the wolf looked distinctly gray, while at other moments, hints and glints of a vague, unclassifiable redness shimmered through its coat.
T1 I never seen a red wolf before R1
T2 (It) Looks almost cinnamon to me.‘R2
T3 The animal was certainly not cinnamon- colored R3
T4 Its coat (colour) was the true wolfcoat (colour) R4
T5 The dominant color was gray, R5
T6 and yet there was to it a faint reddish hue- a hue that was baffling … R6
The article discusses a linguistic case where R1 is implicitly repeated in T2 with a suppressed subject, emphasizing the topic of wolf color despite the change in referent from the lexical item "animal." R3 is reiterated in T4, with additional emphasis on coat color details developed by R4, which is further elaborated in T5 with specific color descriptions Finally, T6 and R6 serve to definitively assert the specific color of the red wolf, highlighting the progression and elaboration of descriptive details throughout the text.
Daylight began at nine o’clock, and by midday, the southern sky turned a gentle rose-color, highlighting the Earth's bulge between the sun and the northern landscape However, this warm hue quickly faded, leaving only a gray daylight that persisted until three o’clock Eventually, the gray light dimmed entirely, giving way to the cold darkness of Arctic night over the silent and desolate land.
T1 Daylight came at nine o‘clock R1