Discourse Dimensions of Dominance Relations in Dul Johnson's Across the Gulf

Abstract

That discourse and dominance are closely linked and in various ways inseparable is undeniable. This paper examines the relations between both constructs paying particular attention to how the former contributes to the reproduction of the latter in literary texts. Extracts purposively selected from Dul Johnson’s Across the Gulf were analysed following Searle’s (1969) Speech Act Theory and Van Dijk’s (1993) Critical Discourse Model (with particular reference to his macro–, micro–and meso – levels). This is to identify the dimensions of dominance relations in the text; uncovering the ideology which underlies the exercise of dominance, and determining how discourse structures have been used in constructing dominance relations. The study found that the dimensions of dominance relations were dominance and resistance, and dominance and compliance. Both dimensions were reproduced by action and cognition. Speech acts, namely, assertive, directive, expressive and commissive, as well as discourse structures such as turn-taking, lexicalised verbs, statements, questions, commands and reference, foregrounded the patriarchal, ethnic bigotry, religious, feminist and humanistic ideologies which underlie the reproduction of dominance relations in the data examined. The study submits that dominance reproduced by cognition is far more effective, and can engender positive result than that which is enacted by action.