A Critical Disocurse Analysis of Howard Roark’s Speech in Rand’s Novel, The Fountainhead

Abstract

This study investigates discourses, their hidden meanings, and underlying ideologies   in Howard Roark’speech delivered at courtroom through the lens of Critical Discourse proposed by Van Dijk (1993,1998,2006). The speech is selected from the novel, The Fountainhead.  This paper dwells on Van Dijk’s three structure- Macrostructure, Superstructure and Microstructure, besides converging on the cognitive perspective, at hand, while reviewing the selected passages in the text. Textual analysis proposed by Catherine Belsey, (2013) is used for the analysis of the passage. After analyzing the selected passage, the study finds that on macrolevel, Howard Roark in his speech reflects and seeks to challenge certain societal norms and societal structures that promote conformity and mediocrity.  The study reveals Ayn Rand in her novel, The Fountainhead employs polarized language, metaphors, and character dialogues to promote individualism and critique collectivism, thereby highlighting the societal challenges. Socially, it challenges societal norms, values and standards around conformity, power, and authority, while reinforcing capitalist values of merit and individual success. The microstructure of the speech reveals that the spearker uses different linguistic tools such as hypbole, metaphor, allusion, personification, imagery and paradoxes to convey her message to the listeners.  The speech reveals the discourse of 1920s USA society and its impact on people, offering a valuable opportunity to explore how this speech reflect the social aspects of the time.