ELIZA HAYWOOD’S CODE OF INTIMIZATION IN THE NOVEL THE HISTORY OF BETSY THOUGHTLESS

Abstract

Purpose of the study: The aim of this article is to study the code of intimization used by Eliza Haywood to construct her close interpersonal relationships with the reader in the novel The History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless.
 Methodology: The research involves a set of methods, in particular, a review of basic research papers that investigate Eliza Haywood’s literary heritage; an analytical method used for describing existing theoretical approaches to such notions as code and intimization in literary theory and rhetorical analysis with the aim of identifying linguistic units with intimizing qualities which allow for the transmission of Haywood’s message aimed at shortening the distance between her and the reader.
 Main Findings: The authors of the article have explored basic linguistic constituents of Eliza Haywood’s code of intimization in the novel The History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless. They include the author’s digressions, spatial, temporal and personal deixis, imperatives and a rhetorical question.
 Applications of this study: This research can be used as a useful source for universities and students studying English Literature, in particular, the18th century English novel and prose of Augustan women writers.
 Novelty / Originality of this study: This article offers a new literary term – “a code of intimization” – which refers to a system of linguistic units used by the author to create a space shared with the reader as well as build the author-reader relationship grounded on trust and disclosure.