Multimodal Realization of Power Within the Empire : A Systemic Functional Multimodal Discourse Analysis of Andor, a Star Wars TV series.

Sammanfattning

Using Systemic Linguistic Multimodal Discourse Analysis (SF-MDA) and itsmetafunctions, this study investigates how multimodal resources realized power relationsin Andor through the lens of Social Semiotics. Both SF-MDA and Social Semiotics seekto explore how meaning is created, but together they allow for a more profoundunderstanding of the text through the use of linguistic metafunctions. The study is done tofill the lack of research regarding both SF-MDA and Social Semiotics to understand howpower is realized. This analysis focuses primarily on one of the show’s antagonists, DedraMeero. Power dynamics within the show are examined through the metafunctions byusing two modes: visual and linguistic. The analyzed semiotic resources in the visualmode are gaze, facial expression, proximity, camera angles, and shot duration. Theanalysis shows that Andor uses the visual mode to depict power relations, as evidencedby their metafunctions. The interpersonal metafunction includes angles, gaze, facialexpression, and proximity. The camera angles display the power differences betweencharacters and the viewer. Gaze and facial expressions reveals what was demanded of andby the characters, thereby reinforcing power dynamics between them. Finally, theproximity shows the dynamic between characters and viewers, showing respect ordisrespect of the characters’ authority. The textual metafunction is seen in camera shotduration and order, which adds additional meaning behind the other semiotic resources.The linguistic mode analyzes dialogue by using transitivity, mood, theme and rheme, allfound within the metafunctions. The results find that Meero creates and seizes her ownpower through the dialogue. Transitivity and its processes show that characters phrasetheir words in ways that emphasize power, solidarity, and agency. These results also showtheir attempts to remove agency from another, thus displaying power differences. Theidentified mood indicates power through its speech functions, showing how and whodemands something from the other and how they respond. Finally, the analysis of themeand rheme identifies signifiers of solidarity and power struggles. This is done byemphasizing identity through usage of ‘I’, ‘we’, or ‘you’. Through these results, Meero’spower is shown to change throughout the TV series. She actively seeks out and createsher own agency from the first analyzed scene to last. She takes the word and speaks in aroom full of people when no one else did within the first scene, then negotiates andsolidifies her power in the second scene. However, while she tries to gain power in thelast scene, she eventually lost it.