LINGUISTIC MARKERS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TENSION IN TENNESSEE WILLIAMS’ ‘CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF’ THROUGH A STYLISTIC ANALYSIS USING LEECH AND SHORT THEORY

Abstract

This research article examines the stylistics markers repetition, figurative language, lexical choices, grammatical deviation and structure that made tension in the play. This research explains how Tennessee Williams made tension in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof through language .Pressure and suppressed truth like  most of the tension in the play is generated not only drama events but by his linguistic choices. This study investigates the linguistic markers of psychological tension in Tennessee Williams’ cat on a hot tin roof through a stylistic analysis based on Leech and Short’s theory of style. The study applies key stylistic tools such as parallelism, deviation, and foregrounding to selected from Acts I, and II of the play. The study shows how William style portrayed in it with the help of Leech and Short theory. The research demonstrates how William manipulation of psychology, and foregrounds theme of mendacity, repression and desire. This research argues that Williams deliberately manipulates language like rhythm, pauses, contradiction, silence and structures having no standard and it creates tension both on the surface of dialogue and its inner meaning. The research examines that psychological tension is constructed through syntactic deviation, including fragmented sentences, abrupt interruptions, and ellipses, which depicts Brick’s emotional withdrawal to communication. Maggie repeated dialogues to silence and talking emphasize the emotional distance between her and Brick. Brick’s minimalist responses often shows incomplete utterances of dialogues work as linguistic markers of repression and denial. Emotionally charged vocabulary is being used in Act II like in the scene between Brick and Big daddy where both shared confrontational dialogues with each other. The research demonstrates that Williams’ strategic manipulation of linguistic patterns plays an important role in mirroring psychological tension, highlighting the effectiveness of stylistic analysis in uncovering the emotional depth.