Modal Grammar and Point of View: A Stylistic Study of Aliyu Kamal’s The Imam of the Corner Mosque

Citation: Maikiyari, M. & Nuhu, A.S. (2026). Modal Grammar and Point of View: A Stylistic Study of Aliyu Kamal’s The Imam of the Corner Mosque. Tasambo Journal of Language, Literature, and Culture, 5(1), 124-132. www.doi.org/10.36349/tjllc.2026.v05i01.013.

MODAL GRAMMAR AND POINT OF VIEW: A STYLISTIC STUDY OF ALIYU KAMAL’S THE IMAM OF THE CORNER MOSQUE

Mohammed Maikiyari, PhD
Department of English and Literary Studies,
Bayero University, Kano
Email: mmaikiyari.eng@buk.edu.ng
Phone: 2348068953812

Auwal Sani Nuhu
Department of English,
School of Languages,
Jigawa State College of Education and Legal Studies, Ringim,
Email: auwalsaninuhukz@gmail.com
Phone: 2349061656879

Abstract

This study applies Simpson’s (1993) modal grammar of point of view in Aliyu Kamal’s The Imam of the Corner Mosque to investigate the narrative point of view. To this end, it uses qualitative and quantitative methods. Also, a purposive sampling technique is used to select six relevant passages in the novel that contain the modal systems. The study finds that the novel belongs to Simpson’s category B narratorial mode with negative shading that is foregrounded through epistemic and perception modal systems to express the certainty and uncertainty of the narrative through an external narrator. However, the narrative contains a few deontic and boulomaic modal systems that are usually highlighted in the positive mode. These modal systems are used to foreground some religious and moral obligations and also the characters’ desires and wishes. Furthermore, the narrative contains verba sentiendi, evaluative adjectives and adverbs, etc. Epistemic and perception systems are used to allow readers to have access to the characters’ thoughts, feelings, and certainty or uncertainty through the external narrator, while deontic and boulomaic systems are used to foreground some religious and moral obligations and the characters’ desires and wishes through the external narrator.

Keywords: Modal Grammar, Point of View, Narratorial Mode and Stylistics

Introduction

Point of view denotes a vantage point, angle, or perspective from which a narrative or story is perceived by readers. It is through the point of view that events as well as the actions of characters in a story are viewed for interpretation and comprehension of the narrative. For instance, in a first-person narrative, the events are viewed and told by the same person who happens to be the narrator of the story, whereas in the third-person narrative, the events are viewed and told by different persons who happen to be the narrator and the viewers (Neary 2014:176). Both of these points of view have advantages and disadvantages. For instance, first-person narrative enables the author to enter into the mind of his main character in a “stream of consciousness manner” or in another way. However, the author, the main character, and the reader cannot read the thoughts as well as feelings of the other characters. Mostly, the third-person narrative is both omniscient and limited omniscient. Generally, it is the preferable method of point of view by novelists (Childs and Fowler 2006:182).

In recent years, there have been many narrative theories that have attempted to explain and describe the function of point of view in literary works (Genette 1980, 1988, and Bal 1985). These theories have attempted to bring together terminology that has been common in the discussion of point of view, such as external/internal, first/third person, limited/unlimited, and personal/impersonal, into theoretical models that are fundamental options and are available to writers of narrative fiction in their choice of point of view, moving from a purely visual formulation. However, Rimmon-Kenan (1983) stressed the psychological and ideological facets. However, none of these approaches to point-of-view analysis relate the generality of the function of point of view to discourse in order to provide a linguistic identification.

Furthermore, Fowler (1986), deriving from Uspensky’s (1973) model of point of view, proposed an analysis that involves four systems of psychological point of view as a whole, briefly describing the spatio-temporal and ideological point of view. Similarly, Simpson (1993) stressed the psychological point of view while proposing a model based on modal grammar within a systemic functional linguistic approach, and the model involves nine points-of-view polarities that combine Uspensky with Genette. McIntyre (2006:29) stated that modality is the key concept of Simpson’s model of point of view, in which Simpson explained the speaker’s attitude or opinion about the proposition expressed by a sentence. He added that Simpson’s model proposed different kinds of modality that are found in a text, which provide a more precise method that differentiates between kinds of narrators, similar to Fowler’s (1996) model. Thus, this study uses Simpson’s (1993) model of point of view in Kamal’s The Imam of the Corner Mosque to investigate the author’s narrative style through the point of view of the narrative.

Modality in Language

Among the functions of linguistic communication is the establishment and maintenance of social mutual relations among people. This can be achieved if speakers and writers have creative and effective linguistic expressions through which they can communicate complex emotional states and feelings to one another. Many of these linguistic features are found in modality. The term modality is used to define the grammatical elements of language that are used to express a speaker’s or writer’s attitude to a particular subject (Gavins 2007:91). Furthermore, the term modality is used in grammatical and semantic analysis to denote the differences in speakers’ moods expressed in verbs and their related classes (Crystal 2008:308). However, Bussmann (1996:754) stated that in the English language, modal differences are mainly expressed by some modal auxiliary verbs, such as may, will, and can, among others; modal lexical verbs, such as want, hope, and wish, among others; and modal adverbs, such as hopefully, maybe, and apparently, among others.

Modal Systems of the English Language

The term modality is used “rather loosely to refer to attitudinal features of language.” Fowler (1986) identified various grammatical elements that are used as means to express “modal commitment”, such as auxiliaries, modal adverbs or sentence adverbs, evaluative adjectives and adverbs, generic sentences and verbs of knowledge, prediction, and evaluation. These modal grammatical elements are supplemented by other types of modality found in English, and these supplements are mainly on point of view analysis (Simpson 1993:47). Furthermore, modality extends to “situation context” or event described by a sentence. Thus, it is a representation of “interpersonal function of language” (ibid). Simpson (1993) proposed four modal systems of English, such as deontic, boulomaic, epistemic, and perception.

Deontic Modal System expresses “duty”, that is, “a speaker’s attitude to the degree of obligation in relation to the performance of some actions. Examples:

(1) You may leave. (permission)

(2) You should leave. (permission through obligation)

(3) You must leave. (obligation)

Some of these modal auxiliary verbs may also be used as epistemic forms. Deontic expression can also combine adjectives and participles in BE……. THAT and BE…..TO to express a degree of modal commitment. Examples:

(4) You are permitted to leave. (BE+Participle+To)

(5) It is possible for you to leave. (BE+Adjective+To)

(6) You are obliged to leave. (BE+Participle+To)

Deontic system is very important in social interaction particularly for when used for persuasion and politeness (Simpson 1993:47-48).

Boulomaic Modal System is closely related to deontic as it is used to express desire. It is realized in modal lexical verbs that express wishes and desires of the speaker. Examples:

(7) I hope that you will leave.

(8) I wish you’d leave.

(9) I regret that you’re leaving.

Also, adjectives and participial constructions, such as BE……..TO or BE…….THAT can be used to express boulomaic commitment, although modal adverbs can also be used. Examples:

(10) It is hoped that you will leave. (BE+Participle+THAT)

(11) It’s good that you’re leaving (BE+Adjective+THAT)

(12) Hopefully, you will leave (modal adverb) (ibid).

The epistemic modal system is said to be the most important modality in the analysis of point of view in fiction. It is used to express the speaker’s confidence or lack of confidence in the truth of a proposition. The following auxiliary verbs are used in their epistemic sense:

(13) You could be right.

(14) You may be right.

(15) You must be right.

(16) You might have been right.

(17) You should have been right.

The epistemic system can be grammaticalized in modal lexical verbs:

(18) I think you are right.

(19) I suppose you’re right.

(20) I believe you are right.

The epistemic system also can be expressed in the following constructions: (BE…..TO and BE….. THAT). Examples:

(21) You are sure to be right.

(22) It’s certain that you’re right.

(23) It’s doubtful that you’re right.

The epistemic system is also expressed in modal adverbs, such as arguably, maybe, perhaps, probably, certainly, allegedly etc.

Perception is best regarded as a subcategory of epistemic modality just as Perkins (1983: 81) pointed out.” It is used to express the degree of commitment to the truth of a proposition that is predicated on the basis of human perception, particularly visual perception. This is highlighted in adjectives in BE……..THAT construction and modal adverbs:

(24) It is clear that you are right.

(25) You’re clearly right.

(26) It is obvious that you are right.

(27) It is obviously right.

(28) It is apparent that you’re right.

(29) Apparently, you’re right. (Simpson 1993:49-50).

To sum up, deontic expresses obligation, duty, and commitment, boulomaic expresses desire, epistemic-knowledge, belief and cognition, and perception-visual perception.

Here is the same text with only spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors corrected. The structure, wording, and pattern are preserved.

The Simpson (1993) Modal Grammar of Point of View in Narrative Fiction

Simpson (1993) proposed two categories of point of view in narrative fiction, which he termed categories A and B, and each of these is further divided into positive, negative, and neutral. Category A are those narratives that are narrated in the first person by a participating character within the story. This category is similar to Genette’s homodiegetic narrative, in which a narrator takes part in the storytelling. Category A positive (A+) is called positive because it involves positive shading highlighted by deontic and boulomaic modal systems that foreground the narrator’s duties, obligations, desires, and opinions on events and other characters. It also involves verba sentiendi that express feelings and thoughts, such as feel and suffer, etc., and evaluative adjectives and adverbs. The epistemic and perception systems are suppressed, unlike in the negative category. Thus, propositions are not asserted, perhaps because of the limited knowledge of the narrator. In this category, it is very rare to find epistemic modal adverbs such as possibly, probably, maybe, and perhaps, and modal auxiliaries in verb phrases such as might have been, could have been, and must have been, etc., and perception modal adverbs such as evidently and apparently, etc. This category is not difficult to be identified in narratives (Simpson 1993:56–58).

Category A negative (A–) highlights clearly epistemic and perception modal systems that are absent in the positive category. In this category, epistemic modal auxiliaries, modal adverbs, and modal lexical verbs such as I suppose, I imagine, and I assume, and perception adverbs such as evidently and apparently are prominent. It also involves comparative structures that have some basis in human perception, such as It looked as if…, It seemed…, It appeared to be, etc. These modal systems make the category to be shaded negatively and to be similar to Fowler’s External type D, although it is within the participating character’s consciousness. In category A neutral (A(N)), there is an absence of modal markers (ibid).

Category B is a third-person narrative and is mainly classified into two: the narratorial and reflector modes. In the narratorial mode, the events are told outside the consciousness of characters, while in the reflector mode, the events are told inside the consciousness of characters. In the narratorial mode, only the narrator’s voice is heard, but if a third person embarks on the “license of omniscience” and moves after a long time into the active mind of a particular character, then it is said to be a reflector mode. Furthermore, like their category A counterparts, category B narratives in each of the two modes are classified on the basis of positive, negative, and neutral shading. Thus, this model comprises nine point-of-view polarities. In category B narratorial mode positive (B+(N)), deontic and boulomaic modal systems are foregrounded to express desires, duties, obligations, and permissions. This category is also rich in evaluative adjectives and adverbs, generic sentences, and verbs of sentiendia that express feelings and thoughts. However, in category B negative, epistemic and perception systems are highlighted to foreground the narrator’s certainty or lack of certainty about the events of the narrative. In category B narratorial mode neutral, there is an absence of modal systems, and it is externally focalized. Furthermore, category B reflector mode is also classified into positive, negative, and neutral. These subcategories have similar modal systems to their category B narratorial mode counterparts. The only difference is that in reflector mode, the narration is told inside the consciousness of the characters, while in the narratorial mode, the narration is told outside the consciousness of the characters (Simpson 1993:62–67).

Methodology

This study adopted qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze data. In doing so, the data were selected from Aliyu Kamal’s The Imam of the Corner Mosque using a purposive sampling technique, through which relevant passages that involve instances of modality were selected to analyze the narrative point of view based on the modal category of point of view. These passages were presented in the form of excerpts and were analyzed individually. Thereafter, the frequency of each modal system was presented in tabular form to determine the shading of the category of point of view of the narrative. This study sourced the data from Aliyu Kamal’s The Imam of the Corner Mosque. The novel under study contains much data, and dealing with a large amount of data causes redundancy or repetition; also, a sample of data can be used to represent the whole data. Thus, this study used a purposive sampling technique to select six relevant passages based on Simpson’s (1993) modal grammar of point of view. Each passage was analyzed based on Simpson’s (1993) model of grammar of point of view; that is, all the available modal systems contained in the passages were identified and analyzed to determine their stylistic effects. The frequency of the available modal systems was presented in tabular form to determine the modal shading of the narrative. Thereafter, the category of the modal point of view of the narrative was identified and stated.

The Application of Simpson’s (1993) Modality and Point of View in Aliyu Kamal’s The Imam of the Corner Mosque

The Imam of the Corner Mosque is a story about a religious leader whom the author named Imam. Imam is polygamous. He battles with the rivalry between his wives and prays for divine intervention in favor of some businesspeople who want to prosper; meanwhile, his daughter deserts her husband’s house for unnecessary reasons. The story reaches its peak when the Imam is deceived by his son-in-law with a fake house loan and loses his house to urban development. He moves with his large family to his son-in-law’s house. He battles with religious duties and the heartfelt ambition to make life better at the expense of the people close to him, whom he never wants to hurt.

This story is narrated and viewed through a third-person omniscient narrator. The story is heard from an external narrator who is a non-participating character. It is shaded negative, as foregrounded through epistemic and modal systems. Thus, it is categorized as B narratorial mode negative. However, there are boulomaic and deontic modal systems in the narrative. In each of the following passages, the modal words are italicized for easy identification.

Passage A

After the departure of Abashe’s mother, Sa’a and Shatu chose to differ in finally resolving the issue of Halisa’s marriage. Insofar as her husband’s mother would be taken on her words, then Halisa had not told the truth. Shatu in consequence sided with the Imam. In effect, Halisa must go back to her husband’s house. Unlike the Imam, who had been premature, as his daughter saw it, in thinking that the poor relations between his wives were on the mend just because they agreed that she should stay put at home, she thought that there was still a yawning gap that Shatu signaled by her decision later not to side with Sa’a, who still maintained that Abashe must come to explain what led to the rift between him and his wife. Halisa could imagine the softening his stance and was proven right to hear him say that it was in order to demand that Abashe offer some explanations. But in the end, as a Hausa adage had it, as a tree Halisa’s roots would remain in her parental home but throw her shaded in of her husband. By relenting, she believed that the Imam, two, had not completely dispelled the issue of the lingering rivalry between his wives out of his mind. (p. 16)

In the above excerpt, the deontic system of obligation is found in auxiliary verb phrases “must go” in line (5) to express Halisa’s obligatory duty, as offered by the Imam and Shatu, of going back to her husband’s house and “must come” in line (12) to express Sa’a’s stand on Abashe’s obligatory duty to come and explain the rift between him and his wife. Boulomaic modal system is found in the modal verbs “chose” in line (1) to express Sa’a and Shatu’s desire to resolve Halisa’s marital issue, “demand” in line (15) to express the desire of requesting Abashe to offer some explanations about the rifts. Furthermore, the verbs of sentiendi, such as “thinking” in line (7) and “thought” in line (9), are used to express Halisa’s thoughts. Also, epistemic modal adverbs, such as “completely” in line (19) and “finally” in line (2), and evaluative adjectives, such as “poor” in line (7), “softening” in line (13), and “lingering” in line (19). The excerpt also involves epistemic modal auxiliary verbs, such as “would be taken” line (3), “should” in line (9), “could imagine” in line (13), “would” in line (17) and epistemic modal verbs, such as “sided” in line (5), “was proven” in line (14), “believed” in line (19) to express the certainty of the characters about the propositions stated in the sentences. Perception modal systems, such as “signaled” in line (10) and “dispelled” in line (19) are found.

Passage B

Nonetheless, Shatu nursed the hope believed in it that his attention would gravitate more towards her for going out of her way to be very indulgent on him. In the neighborhood, he was known to be an ascetic adherent to the prophetic hadith saying that asceticism is the restriction of hopes. People looked at his style of attire: they considered the condition of his house: they never knew him to ingratiate abysmally to anyone for a handful of favors; flirted with juvenile delinquency in all that, people would adjudge him as a gentleman of the highest order. Nonetheless, Sa’a and Halisa believed that Shatu would remain standing with her bow down taut and ready to shoot. (p21)

The above excerpt is rich with epistemic modal lexical verbs, such as “nursed” and “believed” in line (1) another “believed” in line (13), “known” in line (4), “considered” in line (7), “knew”, line (8) and “adjudge” in line (11) to express Shatu’, Sa’a and Halisa’s certainty about the prepositions expressed by the sentences. It also involves epistemic modal auxiliary verbs, such as “would” in lines (10) and (13), epistemic modal adverbs such as “never” in line (8), “abysmally” in line (9), and “nonetheless” in line (1) and (12). Furthermore, it involves perception verbs, such as “looked” in line (6) and “gravitate” in line (2), and it is rich with evaluative adjectives, such as “indulgent” in line (3), “ascetic” in line (4), and “highest” in line (11). These are characteristics of Fowler's external type D point of view. Thus, this narrative is told by an external narrator.

Passage C

The Imam wasn’t aware of the decision Shatu had taken to make life difficult for Sa’a. He would have been greatly horrified, following the understanding between him and Uawaisu, to know something brewing in his house that would put asunder the silent agreement between him and his friend. Sa’a who was in the know, dropped hints onto which the Imam failed to cotton. Her insinuations-your indulgent bride; the one who welcomes you to and from work; your non-time fellow conversationalist had so far appeared to be beyond his lean. (p. 31-32)

This excerpt is also rich with epistemic modal lexical verbs, such as “aware” negative in line (1), “to know” in line (4), and “failed” in line (8) to express the Imam’s uncertainty about Shatu’s decision. There are also epistemic modal auxiliary verb phrases, such as “would have been” in lines (2) to (3) and epistemic modal auxiliary verb, such as “would” in line (5), epistemic modal adverb, such as “greatly” in line (3) and verb of sentiendi, such as “horrified” in line (3). The excerpt also involves perception verbs, such as “appeared” and evaluative adjectives, such as “silent” in line (5).

Passage D

She recalled a hadith read to them at the Islamiyya School on the drift the canine harbours. It is that if one comes into contact with dog salive, he must purify himself four time with water including once with sand. She was thus not surprised to know that people avoided keeping dogs as pets. Another hadith had it that to keep such a pet is to lose a mark out of the mark recorded for one from the acts of devotion that comes out every day. Hunters, on the other hand, are allowed to keep hunting dogs to bring game they shot or want them to chase and bring over after overpowering and wounding it, they must utter Bismillah, or the opening verse of the Qur’an to make the game lawful just in case the dog bites it before lately. (p. 70)

The above excerpt involves a deontic modal auxiliary verb system, such as “must” in lines (3) and (12), and deontic modal verbs, such as “avoided” in line (6) and “allowed” in line (10), to express religious obligatory duties as well as permission granted on keeping a dog as a pet. Also, there is a boulomaic modal lexical verb, such as “want” in line (11) to express the hunters’ desire of using dog. There are epistemic modal verbs and adverbs, such as “to know” in line (5), “to lose” in line (7), and “lately” (15). This excerpt is also rich with perception verbs, such as “shot” and “to chase” in line (11), “overpowering” and “wounding” in line (12) and verbs of sentiendi, such as “bite” in line (14), “not surprised” in line (5) and “recalled” in line (1) to express the feelings and thoughts of the characters. There is also a deictic, such as “bring over” in line (11).

Passage E

Uwaisu kept quiet; he didn’t trust himself to speak. He wanted to draw the Imam back into the house where they could talk at ease. But the visitor had other plans. The most pressing was to reduce the length of time Shatu remained in the taxi with the driver, who Sharia law forbids to stay close to her for long, while the less pressing was to get his money back. The enormity of the repercussions of transgressing the dictates of the Sharia led the cleric to relevant on the second issue, which he could afford to give more time to pass before he collected what was due to him. Yet, the Imam didn’t mention his concerns about his wife but other issue. (p78-79)

In this excerpt, there are a boulomaic modal lexical verbs, such as “wanted” in line (2), and a deontic system, such as “forbids” in line (6), to express wishes and religious obligations. The excerpt is rich with epistemic modal auxiliary verbs, such as “could” in lines (3) and (10), and epistemic verb phrases, such as “didn’t trust” in line (1) and “led” in line (9), to express uncertainty as well as certainty about the propositions of the sentences. There are also perception verbs, such as “remained” in line (5) and “collected” in line (11), to express the visual perception of the characters. Furthermore, there are evaluative adjectives, such as “most” in line (5) and “less” in line (7), and near deictic, such as “close” in line (7).

Passage F

Halisa was having a talk with Sa’a in sitting room when her handset chimed. She wondered who would text a message to her. It wouldn’t be Baraka; she preferred voice calls. Uwais’s wife had gone to attend a weeding and taken Hannun with her as she began to address the girl as her very own daughter. Looking at the screen, Halisa was surprised to see that it was her husband. Sa’a asked her who it was before the receiver of the message switched it open. It was Abashe, she said confidently. Gone were the early days of Hali’s marriage when Sa’a disappointed very strongly to hear her mention his name. The wife shows good mannners, she could remember Sa’a counsel by avoiding her husband’s name. Halisa didn’t feel any different on reading the short message.

In the above excerpt, there are verbs of sentiendi, such as “wondered” in line (2), “surprised” in line (7), “disappointed” in line (12), “remember” in lines (14), and “feel” in line (14) to express the feelings and thoughts of Halisa and Sa’a. There are also perception verbs, such as “Looking” in line (7), “switched” and “open” in line (9), and “shows” in line (13) to express Halisa and Sa’a’s visual perception. Epistemic modal auxiliary verbs, such as “would” in line (2), “wouldn’t” in line (3), and “could” in line (13) to express uncertainty and certainty about the propositions of the sentences. In addition, there are epistemic modal adverbs, such as “confidently” in line (10) and “very strongly” in line (12). Lastly, there is a boulomaic modal lexical verb, such as “preferred” in line (4) to express Halisa’s desire.

Passage G

If the company had been in business for some time, you could have made inquiries to see how many deposits had collected the keys to their houses. At the same time, if it was new and has just started the business, you could have waited until some people collected the keys to their houses before you the fray. Now that you mentioned it, said the Imam sheepishly, I realize that I should have consulted someone especially Uwaisu, about it. Yes, Rabo said, and even considered why he lent you the money without raising any caution about the deal. You need to find out who run the company and how they handle their operations. I will ask Uwaisu about it. He wouldn’t tell you, Rabo chickled. Why Rabo? You want to know the truth? You tell me. Then dust off your ears, Liman, and suffer from shock. Uwaisu has a hand in running the company. Rabo, the Imam sat up abruptly and glared at him, this is a very serious matter. Still, I don’t believe Uwaisu will ever cheat me. (p. 76)

In the above excerpt, there are epistemic auxiliary verb phrases, such as “could have” in lines (2) and (5), “should have” in line (8), “will” in lines (13) and (20), and “wouldn’t” in line (14). There are also epistemic modal lexical verbs, such as “to know” in line (15), “believe” in line (20), “need” in line (11) and “cheat” in line (21) and epistemic modal adverbs, such as “especially” in line (9), “abruptly” in line (19) and “ever” in line (20). The excerpt also involves perception verbs, such as “realize” in line (8), “find out” in line (12), and “glared” in line (18), and verbs of sentiendi are found in “considered” in line (10) and “suffer” in line (16). There is also a boulomaic lexical verb, such as “want” in line (15), as well as an evaluative adjective, such as “serious” in line (19).

The Modality and Evaluative Adjectives and Adverbs in Kamal’s The Imam of the Corner Mosque

Modal Elements	Deontic	Boulomaic	Epistemic	Perception	Evaluative Adjectives	Evaluative Adverbs	Verb of Sentiendi
Modal Adverbs
Modal Auxiliary Verbs	4	5	16
Modal Lexical Verbs	4	1	21	20	9		10
Modal Adverbs			13
Total	8	6	52	20	9		10

Based on the above table, epistemic and perception modal systems are prominent in Kamal’s The Imam of the Corner Mosque. Thus, the narrative received negative shading in Category B narratorial mode.

Discussion

In Aliyu Kamal’s The Imam of the Corner Mosque, the epistemic modal system and perception modal system received the predominant rank. The epistemic is used to express the narrator’s factuality of the prepositions expressed or uncertainty of the narrator’s truth of the prepositions, and epistemic to express the characters’ view positions of the narrative events. The prominence of these modal systems shaded the narrative negatively. Similar to Neary (2014:184), deontic and boulomaic modal systems are used to express religious and moral obligations and permissions, as well as the characters’ desires or wishes. This results in the use of positive modal shading in negative for the aforementioned effects. Also, the narrative is rich with verbs of sentiendi, that express feelings and thoughts, evaluative adjectives and adverbs, among others.

Furthermore, narrative point of is category B narratorial mode with negative shading as the narrative is told by a non-participating character through “a floating” view position, that is, outside the consciousness of the characters as Simpson (1993:55) described this mode as a narrative told and viewed from an external narrator that is foregrounded through epistemic and perception modal systems to externalize the appearance and actions of characters and to let readers have access to the psyche of the characters to make judgment of the villain by expressing necessity and desire of the characters through external narrator. Thus, the author uses this narrative point of view and modal systems for these effects.

Summary of the Findings

The following are the findings of this study on the narrative style of point of view in Aliyu Kamal’s The Imam of the Corner Mosque:

a. The narrative involves epistemic and perception modal systems prominently.

b. The narrative is externalized (category B narratorial mode negative) and has negative shading.

c. The view position of the narrative is externalized through epistemic and perception modal systems.

d. Deontic and boulomaic modal systems are used to express religious and moral obligation, permission, and desires and wishes of the characters.

Conclusion

Aliyu Kamal’s The Imam of the Corner Mosque is viewed from third person omniscience point of view, which Simpson (1993) categorized as B narratorial mode and shaded negatively with epistemic and perception modal systems. The author uses this mode to make readers view the narrative from an external narrator who is a non-participating character in the story, and this viewpoint is similar to Fowler’s (1986) external type D. The prominent modal systems are used to allow readers to have access to the characters' thoughts and certainty or uncertainty through the external narrator. Also, the author uses some modal elements of positive shading, such as deontic and boulomaic systems, to foreground some religious and moral obligations and characters’ desires and wishes through the external narrator.

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