ABSTRACT

In order to unveal the universal features of children’s book. This paper analyzed two classic fairy tales, Little Red Riding Hood and Emperor's New Clothes, from the perspective of Metafunction. Results show that fairy tales have the following characteristics in the aspect of metafunctiont: in idealtional metafunction, material process is the most, verbal process the second, but other processes are few in transitivity system. This shows that fairy tales tend to choose material process in the system of Transitivity, which is accord with the fact that fairy tale is to state story; in interpersonal metafunction, statements are the most in the four verbal functions in the system of Mood, questions the second, thus it can be seen in fairy tales, statements tend to be chosen which is accord with the tenor of fairy tales; in textual metafunction, marked them is obviously more than unmarked theme, and fairy tales tend to choose conjuctions as marked themes in order to increase coherence of text. It can easily attract children’s attention which is reflected fom the choice of vocabulary and coherence that fully considers children’s psychology. In short, the fairy tale’s language style is accord with children’s psychology and fairy tales tends to use simple words to express profound truth.

Key words: fairy tales; ideational metafunction; interpersonal metafunction; textual metafuction

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One  INTRODUCTION-1

Chapter Two  LITERATURE REVIEW-3

2.1 Metafunction-3

2.2 Halliday’s Metafunction-4

2.2.1 Ideational Metafuction and Transitivity System-4

2.2.2 Interpersonal Metafunction and Four Verbal Functions and Appraisal-6

2.2.3 Textual Metafunction and Theme System-7

2.3 Summary-8

Chapter Three  ANALYSIS OF THE TWO TALES-9

3.1 Research Objectives-9

3.2 Research Design-10

3.3 Classic Fairy Tale-10

3.4 Analysis of Classic Fairy Tales from the Perspective of Metafunction-11

3.4.1 Analysis of Transitivity System-11

3.4.2 Analysis of Four Verbal Functions-17

3.4.3 Analysis of Appraisal System Theory-19

3.4.4 Analysis of Theme System-20

Chapter Four   CONCLUSION-22

REFERENCES-25

APPENDIX-27