Psycholinguistic Analysis of Linguistic Units in “Mrs. Dalloway” by Virginia Woolf

Abstract

This study explores how linguistic units contribute to novelistic structure and meaning, focusing on their role in narrative development, stylistic expression, and reader engagement. Linguistic analysis identifies the functional role of linguistic units and their forms in speech, such as the appropriateness of word choice, turns of speech, grammatical forms, and the unique usage of language means in the literary text. Psycholinguistic analysis is used to examine the mental representations and processes through which people produce and understand language. In "Mrs. Dalloway," Virginia Woolf employs the stream-of-consciousness technique, which mirrors natural thought processes. The findings highlight the integral role of linguistic units in novels, as words and phrases create symbolism and evoke imagery, while sentences and paragraphs shape narrative flow and pacing. Cultural and historical contexts are embedded through lexical choices, enhancing authenticity and depth. Linguistic units are instrumental in engaging readers, not only through the narrative but also by eliciting emotional responses.