LANGUAGE AS A HEGEMONIC TOOL: CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF A COSMETIC SERGEON’S MEDICAL DISCOURSE

Abstract

This research paper tries to survey the persuasive strategies of a cosmetic surgeon to convince his patient/friend to undergo aesthetic surgical procedure. The paper intends to unveil the covert consumerist ideology hidden in the commonsensical socio-linguistic conventions enshrined in a cosmetic surgeon’s discourse. The study is stranded in Norman Fairclough's model asserting that sociolinguistic conventions are the outcome of power relations and power struggle and it is impossible to segregate ideologies from discourse that apparently seems apolitical (Fairclough: 1995). The chosen corpus' socio-political and persuasive constituents are evaluated disclosing the surgeon’s persuasive strategies as well as the motive behind the discursive trap he sets on his client/girl friend. The dialogue selected for Critical Discourse analysis is from an American novel Beauty written by Brian D’Amato who exposes through these novel ramifications and coercive strategies to force women to adhere to beauty norms erected by white/supremacist/capitalist/male elite who has a vested interest in dissemination of cosmetic surgery.