Transitivity in the Literature of Prisons: A Corpus Stylistic Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25130/Lang.9.2.P2.8Keywords:
transitivity, systemic functional linguistics, Halliday, carceral discourse, autobiography, prison narratives, agencyAbstract
This study takes a deep dive into the way language conveys power, agency, identity, and resistance in two powerful prison autobiographies: A Sense of Freedom by Jimmy Boyle and The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Using Halliday’s Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), with a special focus on the transitivity system, the research examines how these authors construct their experiences of incarceration through language. By analyzing six key types of processes—Material, Mental, Relational, Verbal, Behavioral, and Existential—the study uncovers how these authors talk about their personal journeys in prison. Twelve excerpts were carefully selected from both books, aiming to capture recurring linguistic patterns and ideological themes. The analysis reveals two starkly different portrayals of prison life. In A Sense of Freedom, Boyle focuses on the systemic violence and physical control within prison walls, with a heavy reliance on Material Processes that often depict him as a passive participant, controlled by external forces. On the other hand, The Autobiography of Malcolm X highlights Mental and Relational Processes, which reflect his journey of self-discovery, intellectual awakening, and personal empowerment. This study sheds light on how the choice of transitivity processes shapes the way power and resistance are represented in these stories, giving us important insights into the role of language in shaping identity, institutional control, and individual agency in the context of incarceration. The findings suggest that while Boyle’s narrative underscores suffering and brutality, Malcolm X’s autobiography focuses more on empowerment and transformation. In conclusion, the study points to the need for future research that uses a broader corpus-based approach to compare and analyze prison narratives more widely. Ultimately, this research highlights the power of language to reflect oppression, challenge institutions, and offer a space for resistance and self-empowerment in the face of dehumanizing systems.
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