From Oppression to Expression: A Critical Discourse Analysis of the Novel The Girl with the Louding Voice

Abstract

This study applies Critical Discourse Analysis to the novel The Girl with the Louding Voice to examine the role of language in shaping meaning, constructing identity, and reflecting power dynamics. Focusing particularly on the linguistic patterns of the protagonist, Adunni, the research investigates how language operates as both a medium of resistance and a vehicle for personal and social agency. The protagonist’s evolving command over language is analyzed as a crucial factor in her journey from marginalization toward empowerment. The analysis delves into how discursive practices within the novel reinforce or subvert entrenched power hierarchies related to class, gender, and socio-economic status. Through a close reading of key dialogues and narrative structures, the study demonstrates that while language is often used to enforce structural inequalities, it also serves as a powerful tool for challenging them. Adunni’s unique voice, shaped by her socio-linguistic background and lived experiences, exemplifies how linguistic expression becomes central to identity formation and self-assertion within oppressive systems. Furthermore, the research deconstructs how social control is maintained through language, while also emphasizing the capacity of the oppressed to reclaim power through discursive strategies. The findings affirm that The Girl with the Louding Voice not only portrays systemic injustice but also celebrates the resilience and agency of marginalized voices through language. By highlighting the intersection of language, power, and identity, this study contributes to postcolonial literary discourse and reaffirms the transformative potential of voice and narrative in socio-political resistance.