A Comparative Stylistic Analysis of Selected Short Stories by Yiyun Li and Zadie Smith

Abstract

This study conducts a comparative stylistic analysis of Yiyun Li’s Hello Goodbye and Zadie Smith’s Kelso Deconstructed using Geoffrey Leech and Michael Short’s (2007) model of stylistic analysis, with a focus on lexical categories such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Employing a mixed-methods approach that combines qualitative close reading with quantitative analysis using the Natural Language Toolkit (NLTK), the research examines how each author’s lexical choices reflect their narrative perspective and thematic concerns. The findings reveal that Li’s style is characterized by emotional restraint and introspection, utilizing abstract nouns and stative verbs to convey psychological depth and familial silence. In contrast, Smith’s narrative is rich in dynamic verbs, socially charged nouns, and evaluative modifiers, reflecting her themes of racial injustice, historical memory, and metafictional commentary. This study demonstrates how lexical categories serve as powerful tools in shaping narrative tone and meaning, while also showing how digital stylistics can enhance literary interpretation through interdisciplinary methods.