Luận văn a study on theme rheme and cohesive ties in the short story the last leaf by o’henry

ABSTRACT This study is an altermpl lo apply systertic functional grammar lo investigating a short story “Ihe Last Leaf” by O’Henry in terms of the theme theme structure and cohesive tie

A STUDY ON THEME — RHEME AND COHESIVE TIES IN

THE SHORT STORY “THE LAST LEAF” BY O”’HENRY

NGHIÊN CỨU VẼ TỎ CHỨC DẺ THUYẾT VA CÁC MỖI LIÊN KET

TRONG TRUYEN NGAN CHIEC LA CUOI CUNG CUA O'HENRY

M.A Minor Programme Thesis

Field: English Linguistics

Code: 60.22.15

Hanoi — 2013

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY - HANOT

UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

FALCULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES

M.A Minor Programme Thesis

Kicid: English Linguistics

Code: 60.22.15 Supervisor: Prof Dr Hoang Van Van

Ilanoi— 2013

DECLARATION

I, hereby certify the thesis entitled “a sTUDY ON THEME - RHEME AND CONTESIVE TIES IN TITE SITORT STORY “TIE LAST LEAF* BY O'TIENRY” is {he resull of my

own research for the Minor Degree of Master of Arts at the University of Language

and International Studies, Vietnam National University, [fanoi, and this thesis has not,

wholly or partially, been subimitled for any degree al any olher universilies or

institutions

Hanoi, 2013

Vit Thi Thanh Nga

TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF MARKERS AND ABBREVIATIONS

LIST OF TABLES

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTIƠN ‹ 22-255 {5< eeeeeeesne el

1.2 Aims of the Study

1.3.Scope of the Smdy

1.4 Method of the Study

1.5.Data Collection

1.6 Design of the Study

CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

ABSTRACT

This study is an altermpl lo apply systertic functional grammar lo investigating a short

story “Ihe Last Leaf” by O’Henry in terms of the theme theme structure and cohesive ties Based on the theory of systemic fimetional grammar as developed by Halliday, the study focuses on the analysis of O’Hemy’s story “The Last Leal” in terms of the textual metafunction which is represented via theme - theme pattern, and cohesion (grammatical cohesion and lexical cohesion) of the text The findings show that in torms of theme - sheme pattem, topical theme which forms unmarked one is the most striking feature of the text We can also realize how the author develops the text and oreales @ surprise ending wlrich makes th slory one of O'Henry’s masterpicoe Moreover, grammatical cohesion represented by reference and conjunctive devices and lexical cohesion shown via repetition, synonyms, meronyms and antonyms make the text more cohesive and coherent The analysis proves that systemic functional grammar is the smartest choice for those whose concern is for the structure and

meaning of a particular text

iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF MARKERS AND ABBREVIATIONS

LIST OF TABLES

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTIƠN ‹ 22-255 {5< eeeeeeesne el

1.2 Aims of the Study

1.3.Scope of the Smdy

1.4 Method of the Study

1.5.Data Collection

1.6 Design of the Study

CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

ABSTRACT

This study is an altermpl lo apply systertic functional grammar lo investigating a short

story “Ihe Last Leaf” by O’Henry in terms of the theme theme structure and cohesive ties Based on the theory of systemic fimetional grammar as developed by Halliday, the study focuses on the analysis of O’Hemy’s story “The Last Leal” in terms of the textual metafunction which is represented via theme - theme pattern, and cohesion (grammatical cohesion and lexical cohesion) of the text The findings show that in torms of theme - sheme pattem, topical theme which forms unmarked one is the most striking feature of the text We can also realize how the author develops the text and oreales @ surprise ending wlrich makes th slory one of O'Henry’s masterpicoe Moreover, grammatical cohesion represented by reference and conjunctive devices and lexical cohesion shown via repetition, synonyms, meronyms and antonyms make the text more cohesive and coherent The analysis proves that systemic functional grammar is the smartest choice for those whose concern is for the structure and

meaning of a particular text

iii

LIST OF MARKERS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Demonstrative Reference Comparalive Reference

Anaphoric reference

Exophoric reference

Cataphoric reference

TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF MARKERS AND ABBREVIATIONS

LIST OF TABLES

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTIƠN ‹ 22-255 {5< eeeeeeesne el

1.2 Aims of the Study

1.3.Scope of the Smdy

1.4 Method of the Study

1.5.Data Collection

1.6 Design of the Study

CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

2.4.2.2 Lexieal Cohesion " fe ee LE

I CHAPTER 3: THEME — RHEME AND COHESIVE TIES IN THE

SHORT STORY “IHE LAST LEAF” BY Q7HENRY

3.1, Introduction " cae eee ¬—¬ sen re crete 9

3.2 The Context of the Chosen Text 19

3.3 The Analysis of the text terms of There — Rhee 19

TV CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION

REFERENCES các Sun nhhehehieeeerriererrerserer 46

F i0 8n 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF MARKERS AND ABBREVIATIONS

LIST OF TABLES

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTIƠN ‹ 22-255 {5< eeeeeeesne el

1.2 Aims of the Study

1.3.Scope of the Smdy

1.4 Method of the Study

1.5.Data Collection

1.6 Design of the Study

CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF MARKERS AND ABBREVIATIONS

LIST OF TABLES

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTIƠN ‹ 22-255 {5< eeeeeeesne el

1.2 Aims of the Study

1.3.Scope of the Smdy

1.4 Method of the Study

1.5.Data Collection

1.6 Design of the Study

CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

ACKNOWLEDGE!

T would like to express my deep gratitude towards my supervisor, Prof Dr Hoang Van Van, for his constant and invaluable assistance without which my study would be far from finished

T greatly wish to acknowledge my thanks to Dr BS Tuin Minh whose research on Thematic Structure in English and Vietmamese has helped me much during my study

Tam also greatly indebted to all my colleagues at Ben Tam High School who provided

me with valuable materials and enthusiastic support on the aspect of my research

Finally, my sincere thanks go to my beloved family for their love, encouragement, and support while I was carrying out this research

Tlanoi, August 2013 Via Thi Thanh Ngo

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1; Mood Type and Unmarked Theme Selection (Halliday, 2001: 78) Table 2: Reference of the Text

Table 3: Substitution of the Text

‘Table 4; Llipsis of the ‘Text

‘Table 5: Conjunctive Devices of the Text

Table 6; Lexical Devices Summary

ABSTRACT

This study is an altermpl lo apply systertic functional grammar lo investigating a short

story “Ihe Last Leaf” by O’Henry in terms of the theme theme structure and cohesive ties Based on the theory of systemic fimetional grammar as developed by Halliday, the study focuses on the analysis of O’Hemy’s story “The Last Leal” in terms of the textual metafunction which is represented via theme - theme pattern, and cohesion (grammatical cohesion and lexical cohesion) of the text The findings show that in torms of theme - sheme pattem, topical theme which forms unmarked one is the most striking feature of the text We can also realize how the author develops the text and oreales @ surprise ending wlrich makes th slory one of O'Henry’s masterpicoe Moreover, grammatical cohesion represented by reference and conjunctive devices and lexical cohesion shown via repetition, synonyms, meronyms and antonyms make the text more cohesive and coherent The analysis proves that systemic functional grammar is the smartest choice for those whose concern is for the structure and

meaning of a particular text

iii

2.4.2.2 Lexieal Cohesion " fe ee LE

I CHAPTER 3: THEME — RHEME AND COHESIVE TIES IN THE

SHORT STORY “IHE LAST LEAF” BY Q7HENRY

3.1, Introduction " cae eee ¬—¬ sen re crete 9

3.2 The Context of the Chosen Text 19

3.3 The Analysis of the text terms of There — Rhee 19

TV CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION

REFERENCES các Sun nhhehehieeeerriererrerserer 46

F i0 8n 1

LIST OF MARKERS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Demonstrative Reference Comparalive Reference

Anaphoric reference

Exophoric reference

Cataphoric reference

TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF MARKERS AND ABBREVIATIONS

LIST OF TABLES

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTIƠN ‹ 22-255 {5< eeeeeeesne el

1.2 Aims of the Study

1.3.Scope of the Smdy

1.4 Method of the Study

1.5.Data Collection

1.6 Design of the Study

CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

2.4.2.2 Lexieal Cohesion " fe ee LE

I CHAPTER 3: THEME — RHEME AND COHESIVE TIES IN THE

SHORT STORY “IHE LAST LEAF” BY Q7HENRY

3.1, Introduction " cae eee ¬—¬ sen re crete 9

3.2 The Context of the Chosen Text 19

3.3 The Analysis of the text terms of There — Rhee 19

TV CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION

REFERENCES các Sun nhhehehieeeerriererrerserer 46

F i0 8n 1

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1; Mood Type and Unmarked Theme Selection (Halliday, 2001: 78) Table 2: Reference of the Text

Table 3: Substitution of the Text

‘Table 4; Llipsis of the ‘Text

‘Table 5: Conjunctive Devices of the Text

Table 6; Lexical Devices Summary

ABSTRACT

This study is an altermpl lo apply systertic functional grammar lo investigating a short

story “Ihe Last Leaf” by O’Henry in terms of the theme theme structure and cohesive ties Based on the theory of systemic fimetional grammar as developed by Halliday, the study focuses on the analysis of O’Hemy’s story “The Last Leal” in terms of the textual metafunction which is represented via theme - theme pattern, and cohesion (grammatical cohesion and lexical cohesion) of the text The findings show that in torms of theme - sheme pattem, topical theme which forms unmarked one is the most striking feature of the text We can also realize how the author develops the text and oreales @ surprise ending wlrich makes th slory one of O'Henry’s masterpicoe Moreover, grammatical cohesion represented by reference and conjunctive devices and lexical cohesion shown via repetition, synonyms, meronyms and antonyms make the text more cohesive and coherent The analysis proves that systemic functional grammar is the smartest choice for those whose concern is for the structure and

meaning of a particular text

iii

LIST OF MARKERS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Demonstrative Reference Comparalive Reference

Anaphoric reference

Exophoric reference

Cataphoric reference

ACKNOWLEDGE!

T would like to express my deep gratitude towards my supervisor, Prof Dr Hoang Van Van, for his constant and invaluable assistance without which my study would be far from finished

T greatly wish to acknowledge my thanks to Dr BS Tuin Minh whose research on Thematic Structure in English and Vietmamese has helped me much during my study

Tam also greatly indebted to all my colleagues at Ben Tam High School who provided

me with valuable materials and enthusiastic support on the aspect of my research

Finally, my sincere thanks go to my beloved family for their love, encouragement, and support while I was carrying out this research

Tlanoi, August 2013 Via Thi Thanh Ngo

ACKNOWLEDGE!

T would like to express my deep gratitude towards my supervisor, Prof Dr Hoang Van Van, for his constant and invaluable assistance without which my study would be far from finished

T greatly wish to acknowledge my thanks to Dr BS Tuin Minh whose research on Thematic Structure in English and Vietmamese has helped me much during my study

Tam also greatly indebted to all my colleagues at Ben Tam High School who provided

me with valuable materials and enthusiastic support on the aspect of my research

Finally, my sincere thanks go to my beloved family for their love, encouragement, and support while I was carrying out this research

Tlanoi, August 2013 Via Thi Thanh Ngo

ABSTRACT

This study is an altermpl lo apply systertic functional grammar lo investigating a short

story “Ihe Last Leaf” by O’Henry in terms of the theme theme structure and cohesive ties Based on the theory of systemic fimetional grammar as developed by Halliday, the study focuses on the analysis of O’Hemy’s story “The Last Leal” in terms of the textual metafunction which is represented via theme - theme pattern, and cohesion (grammatical cohesion and lexical cohesion) of the text The findings show that in torms of theme - sheme pattem, topical theme which forms unmarked one is the most striking feature of the text We can also realize how the author develops the text and oreales @ surprise ending wlrich makes th slory one of O'Henry’s masterpicoe Moreover, grammatical cohesion represented by reference and conjunctive devices and lexical cohesion shown via repetition, synonyms, meronyms and antonyms make the text more cohesive and coherent The analysis proves that systemic functional grammar is the smartest choice for those whose concern is for the structure and

meaning of a particular text

iii

2.4.2.2 Lexieal Cohesion " fe ee LE

I CHAPTER 3: THEME — RHEME AND COHESIVE TIES IN THE

SHORT STORY “IHE LAST LEAF” BY Q7HENRY

3.1, Introduction " cae eee ¬—¬ sen re crete 9

3.2 The Context of the Chosen Text 19

3.3 The Analysis of the text terms of There — Rhee 19

TV CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION

REFERENCES các Sun nhhehehieeeerriererrerserer 46

F i0 8n 1

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1; Mood Type and Unmarked Theme Selection (Halliday, 2001: 78) Table 2: Reference of the Text

Table 3: Substitution of the Text

‘Table 4; Llipsis of the ‘Text

‘Table 5: Conjunctive Devices of the Text

Table 6; Lexical Devices Summary

LIST OF MARKERS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Demonstrative Reference Comparalive Reference

Anaphoric reference

Exophoric reference

Cataphoric reference

ACKNOWLEDGE!

T would like to express my deep gratitude towards my supervisor, Prof Dr Hoang Van Van, for his constant and invaluable assistance without which my study would be far from finished

T greatly wish to acknowledge my thanks to Dr BS Tuin Minh whose research on Thematic Structure in English and Vietmamese has helped me much during my study

Tam also greatly indebted to all my colleagues at Ben Tam High School who provided

me with valuable materials and enthusiastic support on the aspect of my research

Finally, my sincere thanks go to my beloved family for their love, encouragement, and support while I was carrying out this research

Tlanoi, August 2013 Via Thi Thanh Ngo

CTIAPTER 1

TRODUCTION

1.4 Rationale of the Study

The theory of systemic Cunclional linguistics was originally formulaled by MAK

Halliday in the early 1960s This is a new model and method of description of language

known as Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG) in which everything can be explained,

ultimately, by reference to how language is used Different from formal grammar which focuses on written language and deals with rules of correct usage rather than with

meaning and context of the text, functional grammar centers on both written and

spoken language and emphasize how linguistic structures express meaning and views language as a communicative resource, not as grammatical rules It is considered “an

effective tool of analysis, which solves the issnes left out by traditional grammar” as it

helps understand human language more deeply

Systemic |'untional Grammar is a system of meanings associated with three

Metafunctions, each indicating how the language was structured to be used These three

Mobtafuchions are relaled lo 1) Inerpersonal meanings, which [ocus on the soctal

function of language, more spevifically, the participants, 2) Ideational meanings,

foousing on how language is used, that is, the verbal choices, and, 3) Textual meanings, which focus on how the message is organized, that is, what information 1s chosen to

appear first (or last) in a sentence or text

It is the third metafuntion (Textual) that involves the concepts of Theme and Rheme which is one in two things of the basic for my research Theme has been studied by many grammarians such as Mathesius (1975); Lalliday and Llasan (1976); Fries (1981), Firbas (1986), Halliday (1985, 1994); Downing (1990); Davies (1987), Begins (1994),

Matthivssen (1995), Thorgpson (1996) and many olhers Accodinys lo Halhday (1994

2.4.2.2 Lexieal Cohesion " fe ee LE

I CHAPTER 3: THEME — RHEME AND COHESIVE TIES IN THE

SHORT STORY “IHE LAST LEAF” BY Q7HENRY

3.1, Introduction " cae eee ¬—¬ sen re crete 9

3.2 The Context of the Chosen Text 19

3.3 The Analysis of the text terms of There — Rhee 19

TV CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION

REFERENCES các Sun nhhehehieeeerriererrerserer 46

F i0 8n 1

CTIAPTER 1

TRODUCTION

1.4 Rationale of the Study

The theory of systemic Cunclional linguistics was originally formulaled by MAK

Halliday in the early 1960s This is a new model and method of description of language

known as Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG) in which everything can be explained,

ultimately, by reference to how language is used Different from formal grammar which focuses on written language and deals with rules of correct usage rather than with

meaning and context of the text, functional grammar centers on both written and

spoken language and emphasize how linguistic structures express meaning and views language as a communicative resource, not as grammatical rules It is considered “an

effective tool of analysis, which solves the issnes left out by traditional grammar” as it

helps understand human language more deeply

Systemic |'untional Grammar is a system of meanings associated with three

Metafunctions, each indicating how the language was structured to be used These three

Mobtafuchions are relaled lo 1) Inerpersonal meanings, which [ocus on the soctal

function of language, more spevifically, the participants, 2) Ideational meanings,

foousing on how language is used, that is, the verbal choices, and, 3) Textual meanings, which focus on how the message is organized, that is, what information 1s chosen to

appear first (or last) in a sentence or text

It is the third metafuntion (Textual) that involves the concepts of Theme and Rheme which is one in two things of the basic for my research Theme has been studied by many grammarians such as Mathesius (1975); Lalliday and Llasan (1976); Fries (1981), Firbas (1986), Halliday (1985, 1994); Downing (1990); Davies (1987), Begins (1994),

Matthivssen (1995), Thorgpson (1996) and many olhers Accodinys lo Halhday (1994

CTIAPTER 1

TRODUCTION

1.4 Rationale of the Study

The theory of systemic Cunclional linguistics was originally formulaled by MAK

Halliday in the early 1960s This is a new model and method of description of language

known as Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG) in which everything can be explained,

ultimately, by reference to how language is used Different from formal grammar which focuses on written language and deals with rules of correct usage rather than with

meaning and context of the text, functional grammar centers on both written and

spoken language and emphasize how linguistic structures express meaning and views language as a communicative resource, not as grammatical rules It is considered “an

effective tool of analysis, which solves the issnes left out by traditional grammar” as it

helps understand human language more deeply

Systemic |'untional Grammar is a system of meanings associated with three

Metafunctions, each indicating how the language was structured to be used These three

Mobtafuchions are relaled lo 1) Inerpersonal meanings, which [ocus on the soctal

function of language, more spevifically, the participants, 2) Ideational meanings,

foousing on how language is used, that is, the verbal choices, and, 3) Textual meanings, which focus on how the message is organized, that is, what information 1s chosen to

appear first (or last) in a sentence or text

It is the third metafuntion (Textual) that involves the concepts of Theme and Rheme which is one in two things of the basic for my research Theme has been studied by many grammarians such as Mathesius (1975); Lalliday and Llasan (1976); Fries (1981), Firbas (1986), Halliday (1985, 1994); Downing (1990); Davies (1987), Begins (1994),

Matthivssen (1995), Thorgpson (1996) and many olhers Accodinys lo Halhday (1994

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1; Mood Type and Unmarked Theme Selection (Halliday, 2001: 78) Table 2: Reference of the Text

Table 3: Substitution of the Text

‘Table 4; Llipsis of the ‘Text

‘Table 5: Conjunctive Devices of the Text

Table 6; Lexical Devices Summary

ACKNOWLEDGE!

T would like to express my deep gratitude towards my supervisor, Prof Dr Hoang Van Van, for his constant and invaluable assistance without which my study would be far from finished

T greatly wish to acknowledge my thanks to Dr BS Tuin Minh whose research on Thematic Structure in English and Vietmamese has helped me much during my study

Tam also greatly indebted to all my colleagues at Ben Tam High School who provided

me with valuable materials and enthusiastic support on the aspect of my research

Finally, my sincere thanks go to my beloved family for their love, encouragement, and support while I was carrying out this research

Tlanoi, August 2013 Via Thi Thanh Ngo

TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF MARKERS AND ABBREVIATIONS

LIST OF TABLES

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTIƠN ‹ 22-255 {5< eeeeeeesne el

1.2 Aims of the Study

1.3.Scope of the Smdy

1.4 Method of the Study

1.5.Data Collection

1.6 Design of the Study

CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF MARKERS AND ABBREVIATIONS

LIST OF TABLES

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTIƠN ‹ 22-255 {5< eeeeeeesne el

1.2 Aims of the Study

1.3.Scope of the Smdy

1.4 Method of the Study

1.5.Data Collection

1.6 Design of the Study

CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND