Internalized Sexism And Androcentric Ideologies: A Critical Study Of Uzma Aslam Khan’s Novels

Abstract

This study attempts to explore the issue of internalized sexism in The Story of Noble Rot (2001) and Geometry of God (2009) by Uzma Aslam Khan. It identifies the linguistic tools used by certain characters in the selected discourses (novels) to endorse gender discrimination. The current study utilizes feminist critical discourse views as conceptual framework, and critical stylistics as methodical framework to provide a feminist political critique of the selected discourses. A feminist critical analysis of the selected novels highlights that linguistic tools, such as choice of nouns, choice of verbs, equating and contrasting, prioritizing, assuming, modality, negation, direct and indirect speech, deictic elements and speech acts, are used by various older female characters to reinforce androcentric ideologies on younger female characters. Language is used as a tool to devalue their work, trap them in marriages, abuse their power in relationships, deny their authority to make decisions and maintain hierarchy over them in all situations.