The The Use of Modality: A Stylistic Analysis of Karel Capek’s Grafitto

Abstract

The article analyses various shades of modality and its role in extracting the literary and thematic concerns of the writer from the text. It focuses on the use of modality in Karel Capek’s Grafitto, identifies the shades used in the text and shows that by using different verbs the characters express their attitude to various events and situations. The article shows that the study of modality not only helps the readers determine the style of the writing but also assists them in comprehending the meanings in the story meticulously and scientifically and why the writer uses certain shades of modality more frequently than others.  To analyse the text, the researcher has used Paul Simpson’s given types and shades of modality and shown that by using epistemic modality more often, the author has brought forth the existential uncertainties and ambivalence in the life of characters.