Introduction

What we do in this introduction to the volume is to, firstly, give a general schematic overview which very briefly traces some of the major approaches to literature that have played a role in bringing us to where we are today regarding the linguistic analysis of verbal art. At the same time, we make clear where we stand on the disputes surrounding that approach and argue the case for such analysis as a socio-cultural practice, or a special brand of ‘stylistics’. Here we also raise issues with no pretence at adequately defining their contours or resolving their problematics. Nor, despite the influence of much past and present work on the linguistic approach to verbal art, is was our intention in this short introduction to minutely map out the development of any one movement and its proponents. In the second place, we talk a bit about what our contributors do, the literature they do it to, and the models they do it with. We also hope to show some ways in which the essays in this volume make an original contribution to this field of research.