Gender in Ann Veronica: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Abstract

This study investigates the differences that can be detected in the language produced by male and female talk. The study’s specific focus is on gender performance by both interlocutors. It concentrates on the way gender is represented in the 20^th century British novel by considering social, cultural and ideological factors. The data used for such analysis is a modern British novel “Ann Veronica,” which is written by H. G. Wells, a feminist writer, in 1909. The approach that is used for the analysis is Critical discourse analysis, which is used to investigate the way the characters in the novel perform gender, which also concentrates on revealing gender ideologies and gender power that cause gender inequality. The study also uses conversation analysis to show the organization of the conversation between the characters, male and female, which explain how the conversation is opened and closed and how the sequences are arranged between the characters. The most important conclusions are: gender stereotypes that cause gender inequality are performed in British society. Women are constructed as inferior to men. The study also concludes that women’s gender identities are only limited to domestics. Besides, men have the most power in the society; that is why women are not allowed to be free and independent.