A Stylistic Analysis of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's the Thing Around Your Neck

v
ABSTRACT
This study is a stylistics analysis of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's The Thing Around Your
Neck from both linguistic and literary perspectives. The primary aim is to identify the key
linguistic features Adichie uses to convey messages to her readers and society. While its
objectives are to identify the stylistic patterns and linguistic strategies used, explore how
Adichie narrative techniques enhance the depiction of characters, settings, and themes,
examine key themes in the collection, such as identity, migration, gender, and power
dynamics and seeks to place Adichie's stylistic choices within the larger frameworks of
postcolonial literature, feminist discourse, and contemporary Nigerian society in the text.
Adopting a functional approach, the research emphasizes the stylistic functions, effects, and
thematic significance of various linguistic elements within the text. The analysis employs
several stylistic tools, including morphology, graphology, phonology, syntax, lexicosemantics, and point of view. Findings indicate that language plays a vital role in artistic
expression and that a work's effectiveness relies heavily on how an author manipulates
language. Adichie's strategic use of these linguistic features not only enhances the reader's
understanding of her narrative but also amplifies the overall impact of her literary
contributions, highlighting the intricate relationship between language and meaning in her works.