THE STYLISTICS STUDY OF TEHMINA DURRANI’S MY FEUDAL LORD USING LABOV’S MODEL OF NARRATION

Abstract

The study analysis Tehmina Durrani’s My Feudal Lord through the Labov’s narrative model (1967) and its edited version (1997) as its theoretical framework. The research explores how the autobiographical narrative is structured through the six elements of Labov’s model of narration: abstract, orientation, complicating action, evaluation, resolution and coda. Particularly, emphasizing on the element of evaluation, in which she states her internal intuitions and moral judgement. Along with the six major components, the elements like reportability, causality, credibility, objectivity and assignment of praise and blame as suggested by Labov (1997) are also included in the study.  The research aims to investigate how Durrani construct her experiences of feudalism, gender equality, patriarchy, domestic violence, resilience and resistance within the organized narrative structure. Through the textual analysis the study attempts to identify the presence and purpose of Labovian’s components of narration. The study argues that the narrative is not only a personal recount of trauma but serves as a critique of feudalism and patriarchy. The findings suggest that My Feudal Lord shows alignment with Labov’s narrative model specifically, its chronological sequence of events. The study highlights the efficacy of Labov’s model to interpret the autobiographical texts and demonstrate how it assist in exposing the feudalism and patriarchy.  Thus, study contributes to narrative discourse analysis and critique on patriarchal and feudal systems.

Keywords: Labov’s model, Autobiographical narrative, Patriarchy, Feudalism