LANGUAGE AND MISOGYNY IN LITERARY DISCOURSE: A LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS OF CHINUA ACHEBE'S "THINGS FALL APART"

Abstract

This research paper is an examination of language and misogyny in literary discourse through a linguistic analysis of Chinua Achebe's novel, "Things Fall Apart." The study explores how language constructs and perpetuates gender-based prejudices, particularly misogyny, within the context of a postcolonial African society. The analysis focuses on the portrayal of female characters, particularly Okonkwo's wives and other women in the Igbo community, in order to find out the linguistic devices employed by the author to express and reinforce patriarchal ideologies. Using a qualitative approach, the paper draws on linguistic theory to critically evaluate the language used by Achebe and its implications on gender dynamics. The study reveals that Achebe's use of language, although rich in cultural expression, often reflects and perpetuates traditional gender norms and power structures. Through linguistic devices such as metaphors, proverbs, and direct dialogue, women are frequently depicted as submissive, objectified, and relegated to domestic roles, contributing to their marginalization within the narrative. Furthermore, the research highlights instances where women's voices and perspectives are silenced or dismissed, leading to a reinforcement of their subordinate status in the community. The analysis further explicates how language reinforces existing biases, contributing to the perpetuation of misogyny and patriarchal norms in broader societal contexts. The findings reveal that misogynistic language is indeed present in the Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’, as there were cases of objectification, marginalization, and discriminatory attitudes towards female characters.