Foregrounding in Stylistics With examples and functions

1. Umm-e-Rooman Yaqoob (Roll no. 3)
6th Semester
Foregrounding
Definition:
Foregroundingisthe practice of makingsomethingstandoutfromthe surroundingwordsorimages.It
alsomake the use of unusual words.
Foregroundingistobringsomethingintolightandtomake work of art eye catching, forceful and
presentable.Inshortitis the backbone of literature.
Foregroundingisachievedthroughfiguresof speech.Itisthe principleof stylistics.
Principles of foregrounding:
 Prominence
 Deautomization
 Defamiliarization
 Transport
 Imaginative
 Deviation
Examples:
 I have knownthe inexorablesadnessof pencil.
 The smallerfishisnowinan air bubble,spinning,turningandmakingitswayupward.
 Eliot`sWasteland
The nymphsare depraved
Departed,have leftnoaddressee
 Hopkin`s
Justman Justice
 I was surprised,hisnose wasnotgrowinglike Pinocchios
 In Othello:
I kissesthe e`erIkilledthee
 Saying“ a grief ago” insteadof “ a monthago ”

2.  Bob Cowley`s talons:
Eagle`s
Falcon`s
Hawk`s
Normal talons
Bob Cowley`s Deviant
 Black chords:
Black Normal
Pens
Boxes
Chairs
Deviant Chords