A PRAGMA-STYLISTIC STUDY OF HAMID’S “MOTH SMOKE”

Abstract

The current research aim to explore the pragma-stylistic features in Hamid’s “Moth Smoke,” focusing on how illocutionary speech acts, flouting of maxims, and figures of speech reveal implied meanings related to hybridity and power structures. It examines how pragmatic theories function stylistically to construct these meanings. Through qualitative analysis, the researcher analyzed the language use in the novel. The data have been analyzed using Black (2006) Pragma-Stylistics model. The findings of this study reveal that the use of these elements not only enhance the narrative but also serve as a critical lens to examine socio-cultural issues, reflecting characters’ cultural and existential identity crises, their struggle to adapt traditional Pakistani heritage with modern western lifestyles, and the social inequalities faced by marginalized individuals belonging to the middle-class. It highlights that Hamid’s use of linguistic elements provides insights into characters’ inner conflicts and societal dissonance, which contributes to an understanding of contemporary Pakistani society portrayed in the novel.