Principal or Father? A Survey of the Novel Modir-e Madreseh (The School Principal) Based on Critical Discourse Analysis

Abstract

In this research, linguistics is applied to the study of novels through critical discourse analysis. Critical discourse analysts take into consideration those elements of discourse which are hidden in order to preserve power hierarchy. Clearly contrary to descriptive-formal surveys of language, they contend that language can be used intentionally in order to support dominance, inequality and struggle against them as well. The novel Modir-e Madreseh (The School Principal) by Jalal Al-e Ahmad is analyzed based on Theo Van Leeuwen's research indexes, namely activation and passivation, nomination and categorization, identification and functionalization, personalization and impersonalization. The analysis illustrates how examination of the linguistic form used in the novel leads to deeper knowledge of the author who tries to alleviate people's miseries while they themselves do not play any significant role in doing so.