SPEAKING FROM THE MARGINS: A MULTIMODAL FEMINIST CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF FEMALE SUBJECTIVITY IN WARIS SHAH’S HEER RANJHA

Abstract

This research has been analyzed to discuss how female subjectivity and voice in Heer Ranjha by Waris Shah were represented using Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis (FCDA). Based on the theoretical viewpoints of Fairclough (2001), Halliday (1994), and Lazar (2005). This study analyzed the six selected aspects providing identity of Heer, her love, resistance, suffering, and self-determination. The linguistic features were analyzed include transitivity, agency, metaphor, and modality which are used to demonstrate how language can be used to express power, control, and emotion. Results indicate that Heer starts as a romantic adventurer but slowly turns out to be a moral and spiritual actor who criticizes patriarchy and religious power. Her words are morally empowered and emotionally struggling even when she is quiet and suffering. Although Waris Shah romanticizes Heer in the form of a mascot, his telling is nonetheless an expression of benevolent patriarchy, in which the woman is glorified but within spiritual boundaries. The paper comes to the conclusion that Heer Ranjha is not merely love story, but also a gender and power discourse, and the faith, courage, and language of a woman are her ultimate way of resistance.