The Dynamics of Language and Gender: Conversational Analysis of Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale

Abstract

This paper attempts to discuss that in what ways the dynamics of language and gender are revealed through conversation and dialogues by applying Conversational Analysis Approach (CA) on Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale (1985). The Handmaid’s Tale is the primary text for this research. The selected pieces of the conversation are explained and analyzed by applying Conversation Analysis approach (CA). The research concludes that the role of language in promoting and maintaining women’s suppressed and subjugated position by controlling their minds (as they are not allowed to read) and bodies (as they are forced to produce children for upper strata men such as Commanders) is quite obvious. It put special emphasis on protagonist Offer’s dialogues how the use of language is related to the notion of gender. The researcher will employ close reading technique to prove her point. The qualitative method of research would be used as this method provides every minute detail and in depth analysis of the text under consideration by applying close text reading technique. Instances from the original text i.e. The Handmaid’s Tale are taken and analyzed qualitatively.