Ksatra: Jurnal Kajian Bahasa dan Sastra
Vol. 8 No. 1 (2026): Ksatra

A Rigorous Stylistic Analysis of My Chemical Romance’s "Disenchanted": A Leech and Short Approach to the Lexico-Grammatical Construction of Disillusionment

Reyhan Habib Akbar (University of North Sumatra)
Evaness Jocelym (University of North Sumatra)
Rahmadsyah Rangkuti (University of North Sumatra)



Article Info

Publish Date
17 Jul 2026

Abstract

This study investigates the linguistic and stylistic architecture of the song "Disenchanted" by the alternative rock band My Chemical Romance, utilizing the comprehensive framework proposed by Geoffrey Leech and Michael Short (1981/2007). While contemporary musicology frequently prioritizes acoustic performance, this paper treats modern lyrical texts as autonomous literary discourse. Employing a bottom-up methodology, the text is analyzed across six distinct linguistic strata: lexical choices, grammatical structures, figurative language, foregrounding mechanisms, phonological patterns, and cohesive devices. The empirical findings reveal a systematic reliance on stative and mental predicates (75% of total verbs) over dynamic actions, a calculated second-person pronominal dominance (50%) that serves as an identity-distancing tool, and striking semantic deviations that flatten human suffering into a mundane, failed theatrical production. Phonologically, dense clusters of sibilance create a cynical, whispering atmosphere that undercuts the typical energy of a rock anthem. Ultimately, this study demonstrates that the emotional resonance of 2000s alternative rock is a meticulously patterned linguistic construct, proving that contemporary popular lyrics possess the structural complexity to warrant rigorous stylistic inquiry.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ksatra

Publisher

Subject

Arts Humanities Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

Ksatra: Jurnal Kajian Bahasa dan Sastra diperuntukkan sebagai media informasi dalam penyebarluasan hasil penelitian dan publikasi ilmiah mengenai berbagai kajian kesusastraan, baik sastra Indonesia maupun sastra lokal (daerah), fenomena kebahasaan, dan pembelajaran bahasa-sastra. Jurnal ini hadir ...