A STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF ELIF SHAKA’S FORTY RULES OF LOVE

This study investigates the stylistic architecture of Elif Shafak’s The Forty Rules of Love, focusing on how linguistic features support the novel’s narrative and thematic depth. Grounded in Khan and Jabeen’s (2015) multilevel stylistic framework, the study adopts a qualitative, text-based method involving manual identification and analysis of grammatical, graphological, and lexico-semantic features. Findings reveal that Shafak’s use of syntactic variation, typographic layout, and semantic patterns enhances emotional tone, spiritual reflection, and narrative structure. These stylistic elements function as meaning-making resources, aligning language with ideology and character development. The study concludes that linguistic stylistics offers a precise and replicable model for analyzing contemporary fiction, particularly works that explore philosophical and mystical dimensions.