A stylistic approach to power relation shifts in Arthur Miller’s the crucible

Abstract EN

The present paper tackles the concept of power relations and surveys some of the specific techniques, in which power relations are represented in the language of two major characters in Arthur Millers’ the crucible.

the researcher adopts brown and Levinson’s (1978) politeness theory and Culpeper’s (2011) impoliteness to contrast the language of the two major characters, namely, John Proctor and Mary warren.

the objective of the study is to highlight how the two theories contrast each other and how they can be used to manifest the power embodied in the use of language.

the study highlights how the characters in the text world gain power over their superordinate by examining their language that signifies social and religious power.