A CRITICAL STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF LINGUISTIC FEATURES IN J.P. CLARK’S POEM NIGHT RAIN: AN APPROACH TO LESLEY JEFFRIES TEN RESOURCES
Authors
Ahmadu Mohammed Dauda
University of Maiduguri
Author
Hauwa Giwa-Ali
University of Maiduguri
Author
Keywords:
Critical Stylistics,
J.P. Clark,
Linguistic Analysis,
Cultural Context,
African Poetry
Abstract
This paper provides a critical stylistic examination of J.P. Clark’s poem Night Rain, focusing on how linguistic features create meaning, ideology, and social realities. It explores how linguistic choices reflect the poem’s cultural and environmental backdrop, uncovering themes such as human vulnerability, resilience, and communal unity. The study applies Lesley Jeffries’ critical stylistics toolkit and uses qualitative analysis of linguistic elements such as passive constructions, naming, describing, and negating. Findings reveal that Night Rain is deeply connected to rural African culture and portrays rain as both destructive and nurturing.
