The Patriarchal Universe of Discourse

1
The Patriarchal Universe of Discourse

• Julia Penelope-
• A universe of discourse is a set of language
  conventions that reflect a particular definition
  of reality
• Those who accept the language accept its
  categories of truth
• Most of us do so without question

2
examples

• Assumptions-
• Housewife
• Lady of the house
• The absence of the word househusband
• The definitions and meanings embedded in the
  patriarchal universe promotes the interest of men
  and subordinates women

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Cosmetic universe of discourse

• This signals approval and recognition of the
  patriarchal universe of discourse
• Women approve of their subordination
• Includes using
• the highest pitch range in speech more often
  than men
• pausing more than men
• using a more questioning intonation than men
• a vocabulary of fashion, child-rearing, and
  housework
• more tag questions and qualifying language

4
Critique

• Feminist theory places the blame for the
  oppression of women on the patriarchy
• But feminism adheres to dualism
• which may (ironically) reinforce the
  distinctions they are trying to overcome
• Cultural studies says power shifts are in flux
  and no single set of ideas are perpetually
  dominant.
• in fact, the CS model suggests women have been
  co-opted into adopting an ideology which embraces
  the concept of gender