Analysis of Themes and Illocutionary Speech Act in Selected Advisory Biblical and Literary Texts

Abstract

The practice of instilling morals to individuals has existed in both familial and societal upbringing. These morals are always transmitted from the older people to the younger generation with an intention of initiating both boys and girls to proper manhood and womanhood based on the familial and societal dictates. Transmission of these morals is normally through religious and literary texts, and also continuous conversations amongst the members of the family and the society. These conversations generally tend to exhibit an aspect of speech act theory called illocutionary speech act that signals acts such as directing, advising, requesting and persuading the recipient to embrace the teachings. Though there are many genres of literature, poems have proved to be more effective in passing these morals in both the ancient and modern societies. Therefore, this article analyzed the themes and illocutionary speech act in some selected advisory Biblical and literary texts with poetic style. The study realized various themes such as lavish life and alcoholism, human rights, characteristics of ideal wife, philanthropy, respect, courtesy, faithfulness, avoidance of anger, discipline, religiosity, education, tolerance, integrity, marriage life, cleanliness and love. The study realized common illocutionary speech acts such as expressives, directives, verdictives, representatives and commissives.