Thematic Resonance through Stylistic Repetition: A Multidisciplinary Analysis of Rhythmic and Recurrent Phrases in Literature

Abstract

This study analyses the use of repetitive and rhythmic phrases in literature through the lenses of cognitive poetics, narrative theory, textual analysis, corpus linguistics, and reader response analysis. We consider the two novels Paradise and Gravel Heart, exploring how the recurrent use of language structures and phoneme clusters reinforces thematic elements and shapes the reader's experience. We employed cognitive poetics (Stockwell, 2019) as the methodology, emphasizing the significance of rhythm and stylistic stylistic repetition in ingraining themes into the reader's mind. Meanwhile, narrative theory clarifies how these elements affect narrative structure and emotional growth. Textual analysis explores the use of parallelism and imagery, while corpus linguistics evaluates the frequency and significance of recurring phrases. Finally, reader response analysis examines how readers interpret and internalize the themes of love and blessings. The main objective of this multidisciplinary approach is to furnish a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between language and thematic development in literature.