Abstract
The present paper gives a detailed analysis and interpretation of 16 poems in Jorie Graham's collection, Swarm (2000), which bear "UNDERNEATH" as their main titles. The poems are marked with different types of repetition such as graphological repetition, word, phrase, and sentential repetition, semantic repetition, and syntactic repetition. The study draws on Lakoff and Johnson's theories on metaphor and Brehm and Brehm’s reactance theory. It is argued "underneath" is a conceptual (orientational) metaphor which signifies a state of being limited, lack of control and freedom, and loss of power. The paper investigates the speaker's reactant behavior in "Underneath" poems, seeking a way to restore her lost freedom. Reactance behaviors can be skepticism, inertia, aggression, and resistance. It is concluded despite her thematic inertia, representing her submission to the oppressed state, her stylistic reactance reflected in repetitions, innovations, and disruptive diction stands for her attempts to regain her lost control.
Highlights
Freedom and limitation have always been main issues of concern among philosophers, poets, psychologists, politicians, sociologists, etc. Brehm and Brehm (1981) define freedom as the individual's control over a potential outcome (p. 3)
The study draws on Lakoff and Johnson's theories on metaphor and Brehm and Brehm’s reactance theory
Reactance behaviors can be skepticism, inertia, aggression, and resistance. It is concluded despite her thematic inertia, representing her submission to the oppressed state, her stylistic reactance reflected in repetitions, innovations, and disruptive diction stands for her attempts to regain her lost control
Summary
Freedom and limitation (loss of freedom) have always been main issues of concern among philosophers, poets, psychologists, politicians, sociologists, etc. Brehm and Brehm (1981) define freedom as the individual's control over a potential outcome (p. 3). Freedom and limitation (loss of freedom) have always been main issues of concern among philosophers, poets, psychologists, politicians, sociologists, etc. Brehm and Brehm (1981) define freedom as the individual's control over a potential outcome They view freedom as an "expectancy" which "can be held with more or less certainty" Freedom and its loss can be generally investigated on two levels of theme and style. Either the writer cherishes or invents a state of freedom or suffers its loss. In both cases, the literary text becomes a space wherein the psycho-linguistic behavior of the writer can be investigated
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