A Transitivity Analysis of The Fly-Paper: Life and Character of Sylvia

Abstract

This paper is an application of Halliday’s theory of transitivity in the construction of Elizabeth Taylor’s character Sylvia in the short story The Fly-Paper. The article tends to recognize and elucidate how the chief character’s personality is depicted and epitomized. The model of transitivity is taken from Systemic Functional Grammar which is a great contribution in the study of language in terms of language-function. The story is investigated into three different functional methods. Firstly, in the ideational functions, the use of material process as the most overriding process reflects Sylvia’s character and her experiences of life intensely. Her unusual raising leads her to search for her own individuality. Due to lack of love from family, she searches for it in her surrounding from the strangers. Secondly, in the interpersonal function, the clauses mostly begin either with the name of the character, Sylvia, or with her pronoun, she, and other objects connected with her, which further signifies Sylvia’s personal experiences of life. At this step of analysis choice of subjects is deeply assessed. Lastly, the textual function highlights the life phases of Sylvia. From this perspective, it is observed that use of objects in different clauses give meaning to the life of Sylvia and her personal journey.