EXPLORING FARZANA AQIB’S DOWN TO THE DUST THROUGH LINGUISTIC DEVIATIONS: A STYLISTIC STUDY

Abstract

This study explores the use of linguistic deviations in Farzana Aqib’s poem Down to the dust through the stylistic theory of foregrounding developed by Geoffrey Leech. The research aims to identify how different types of deviations such as lexical, grammatical, phonological, and semantic enhance the emotional and thematic impact of the poem. Using a qualitative descriptive method and documentation as the data collection technique, the poem was analyzed through Leech’s eight categories of deviation. The findings show that the poet’s creative use of language draws attention to pain, loss, and inner struggle, making the poem more expressive and powerful. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of poetic language and how stylistic choices shape meaning.