Analysis of Grammatical Cohesion and Coherence in the Novel ‘Through the Looking-Glass’ by Lewis Carroll

Abstract

This research analyzes the grammatical cohesion and coherence in Lewis Carroll's novel Through the Looking-Glass. The study aims to identify and examine the types of grammatical cohesion and coherence present in the text. Utilizing a descriptive method and library research, the novel serves as the primary data resource. The findings reveal the use of four kinds of cohesive items: reference, substitution, ellipsis, and conjunction, all of which demonstrate causal relationships contributing to the overall cohesion. Specifically, in the first chapter, "Looking-glass House," 193 sentences were analyzed, uncovering 165 instances of reference, 6 of substitution, 61 of ellipsis, and 28 of conjunction, alongside 4 incoherent sentences. The study concludes that while cohesion creates surface links between clauses and sentences, coherence arises from various factors ensuring each paragraph, sentence, and phrase contributes meaningfully to the entire text. This research provides valuable insights into Carroll’s linguistic techniques and enhances the understanding of grammatical cohesion and coherence in literary texts.