Female Growth through Turn-Taking Analysis in Thelma & Louise: A Feminist Journey
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/vtj38s17Keywords:
Turn-taking Theory, Feminist Consciousness, Character Development, Conversation Analysis, Gender DiscourseAbstract
This study employs the turn-taking theory as a framework to delve into the intricate character development and feminist themes embodied in the film Thelma & Louise. Through a rigorous quantitative analysis of conversational exchanges, the study illuminates Thelma's transformation from a subjugated housewife to an emblematic figure of feminist resistance. The evolution in Thelma's conversational patterns, particularly in terms of turn length and topic control, serves as a mirror reflecting her escalating autonomy and defiance towards patriarchal constraints. This analysis underscores the film's profound depiction of female empowerment and solidarity, offering a critical lens through which to interrogate gender discourse and societal norms. Thelma's odyssey, thus, stands as a poignant exemplification of the relentless pursuit of identity and freedom, leaving an indelible mark on feminist discourse and discourse analysis alike.
Downloads
References
[1] G. O. Thomas, Dramatic Stylistics: Language and Performance in Theatre. London: Routledge, 1992, pp. 15–28.
[2] H. Sacks, E. A. Schegloff, and G. Jefferson, "A simplest systematics for the organization of turn-taking for conversation," Language, vol.50, no.4, pp. 696–735, Dec. 1974.
[3] Yule, G., & Widdowson, H. G. Pragmatics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996, ch.7.
[4] J. Thornborrow, "Power talk: Language and interaction in institutional discourse," Language in Society, vol.31, no.1, 2002, unpublished.
[5] M. A. Doane, "Thelma & Louise and the feminist road movie," Screen, vol. 39, no.2, pp. 134–149, Summer 1998.
[6] S. Faludi, Backlash: The Undeclared War Against Women. New York: Crown, 1991, pp. 112–130.
[7] L. Mulvey, "Thelma & Louise: A narrative of resistance," Feminist Film Theory, vol.12, no.3, pp. 78–92, Sep. 1993.
[8] D. Tannen, Conversational Style: Analyzing Talk Among Friends. Norwood, NJ: Ablex, 1984, pp. 45–61.
[9] P. Brown and S. Levinson, Politeness: Universals in Language Usage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1987, ch.3.
[10] Short, M. Exploring the Language of Poems. London: Routledge, 2004, pp.89–104.
[11] S. Mills, Discourse: The New Critical Idiom. London: Routledge, 1997, pp.120–135.
[12] R. Lakoff, Language and Woman’s Place. New York: Harper & Row, 1975.
[13] J. Butler, Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. New York: Routledge, 2000, pp.95–110.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 International Journal of Education and Humanities

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.







