Revaluation of Syntactical Categories

Revaluation of syntactical categories means the use of certain syntactical categories or forms of their expression with their meanings transferred. Thus, a statement which is usually given the form of a declarative sentence may be expressed by means of interrogative sentence; several kinds of sentence patterns may express negation, although they do not contain any grammatical devices of negation (the negative particle or negative pronouns).

Rhetorical question is an affirmative or negative statement which only assumes the form of a question. The use of the interrogative form performs an expressive function since it implies direct appellation to the hearer's opinion. The speaker never doubts what kind of answer to his question can be expected, and the conclusion is left with the hearer:

If this belief from heaven be sent,

If such be Nature's holy plan,

Have I not reason to lament

What man has done of man? (Wordsworth)

LECTURE 8