A linguistic approach to the analysis of a dramatic text : a study in discourse analysis and cohesion with special reference to The birthday party by Harold Pinter

Abstract

This study is an attempt to explore the ways discourse analysis and cohesion can be exploited in the study of modem drama. The study is divided into three parts: background information about developments in discourse analysis, cohesion and modem theatre; the description of the system of analysis; and the interpretation of the sample play, The Birthday Party by Harold Pinter. The system of analysis consists of discourse analytical units complemented by cohesive devices. The former include the following units: acts, moves, exchanges, episodes, sequences, monologues and encounters, of which the first three are prospective and the others retrospective structures. The latter include the following devices: ellipsis, substitution, reference and lexical cohesion; discourse coherence, and interactional iconicity. The description of the play is made using the discourse analytical and cohesive devices and covers the whole length of the play. The interpretation of the play is carried out with the help of two concepts: microcosm and macrocosm. The microcosm means the world of the play and exists in this study in the coded description of the play. The macrocosm means the real world in which the microcosm exists as a play, and is the relation between the play as a message and its audience. Through these concepts the study attempts to illustrate the special nature of Pinter's drama and to explain certain textual features and analytical processes through which the reader and the audience make their interpretation of the characters and the content of the play. The interpretation concentrates on the following aspects: the organization of the play, including the aspects of rhythm, tempo and intensity, patterns of individual and contrastive orientation; and the elements of the Absurd that are regarded as characteristic of the play: mystery, menace and humour.