Stylistic Comparison of the Dialogues between Oppressors and the Oppressed in Harold Pinter’s Mountain Language

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the stylistic variations of the dialogues between oppressor and the oppressed in Harold Pinter's Mountain Language. Whether via compliance or opposition, language plays a vital role in expressing power dynamics. One main goal is to find and investigate the stylistic differences of their dialogues and this is done to investigate the functions of silence, forceful language, and interruptions as well as to show how language either supports or questions power. The methodological approaches of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), Pragmatics, Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), and Stylistic Analysis help to achieve the goals. Some conversations are marked by a focus on syntax, vocabulary, speech actions, turn-taking patterns, transitivity, emotion, and modality. The results show that oppressors assert their power by means of high modality, direct verbal actions, and urgent formulations. Oppressed people often use low modality, ellipses, and bad grammar to express their unhappiness against oppression.