A Collapsing of Spheres: A Look at the Feminine Style in Political Discourse

8/9/2019 A Collapsing of Spheres: A Look at the Feminine Style in Political Discourse

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FEMININE STYLE IN POLITICAL DISCOURSE1

A Collapsing of Spheres: A Loo a! !he Fe"inine S!#le in Poli!i$al Dis$o%rse

Maggie Chris!

&irginia Pol#!e$hni$ Ins!i!%!e an' S!a!e Uni(ersi!#



FEMININE STYLE IN POLITICAL DISCOURSE)

Abstract

The !heor# of fe"inine s!#le* as es!a+lishe' +# ,arl#n ,ohrs Ca"p+ell-1./.0* is !he !heor# !ha! !here is a s!#le of rhe!ori$ !ha! is "ore e"o!ional*personal an' $o"passiona!e in $on!ras! !o !he s!#le of rhe!ori$ no n as

"as$%line s!#le2 Mas$%line s!#le is "ore infor"a!i(e* eeping !o fa$!s ra!her!han personal narra!i(e an' 'e"an's "ore po er an' respe$!2 This !heor#$an +e applie' !o poli!i$al 'is$o%rse in$l%'ing 'e+a!es* spee$hes* an'$a"paign a'(er!ise"en!s2 3e$a%se of !he shif! an' reshaping of !he p%+li$an' pri(a!e spheres in so$ie!#* s%$h as !he in$rease' in(ol(e"en! of o"enin poli!i$s* !his s!#le is seen "ore an' "ore in poli!i$al 'is$o%rse2 Thisli!era!%re re(ie a!!e"p!s !o e4a"ine s!%'ies an' anal#ses 'one !o 5n' !his!heor# in poli!i$al 'is$o%rse an' e4plain 6%s! ha! !he !heor# "eans in Uni!e'S!a!es poli!i$s !o'a#2




A Collapsing of Spheres: A Loo a! !he Fe"inine S!#le in Poli!i$al Dis$o%rse

The !heor# of fe"inine s!#le is no! an eas# one !o 'es$ri+e* as i! 'oesno! ha(e one single 'e5ni!ion !ha! is agree' %pon +# all !heor# resear$hers2

In fa$!* i! see"s !ha! no! all !heoris!s e(en agree !ha! i! is a !heor# !ha! $an+e anal#8e' an' applie' !o !he s!%'# of $o""%ni$a!ion2 A$$or'ing !o3lan enship an' Ro+son -1..90* !he "erging of pri(a!e an' p%+li$ spheres+ro%gh! on a realign"en!; of +eha(iors an' ha! is e4pe$!e' an'appropria!e for "en an' o"en -p2 79702 3lan enship an' Ro+son s%ppor!!heir (ie i!h so"e +asi$ ass%"p!ions an' 'e5ni!ions of fe"inine;*

gen'er; an' s!#le;2 Firs!* fe"inine; refers !o so$ial $ons!r%$!ion ofgen'er ra!her !han "ere +iologi$al 'i<eren$e -3lan enship an' Ro+son*1..9* p2 79=02 S!#le; is si"pl# ha! !o sa# an' ho !o sa# i!2 For !he or'

gen'er;* 3lan enship an' Ro+son a'op!e' Cohn>s 'e5ni!ion -1..70:

I %se gen'er !o refer !o a s#"+oli$ s#s!e"* a $en!ral organi8ing'is$o%rse of $%l!%re* one !ha! no! onl# shapes ho e e4perien$ean' %n'ers!an' o%rsel(es as "en an' o"en* +%! !ha! alsoin!er ea(es i!h o!her 'is$o%rses an' shapes !he"?an'!herefore shapes o!her aspe$!s of o%r orl'2 -p2 ))/0

3e$a%se fe"inine s!#le* so"e!i"es $alle' fe"inine lang%age -3an ar!an' M$,inne#* )@@90 5!s !he %ali5$a!ions of a $ri!i$al !heor# an' for !hesa e of !his li!era!%re re(ie * i! ill +e referre' !o as a !heor#2 The 'e5ni!ionslai' o%! +# 3lan enship an' Ro+son -1..90 ill +e !he +asis* +%! !he# ill +ee4pan'e' i!h e4a"ples an' e(i'en$e fro" o!her ar!i$les !ha! s%ppor! !his

!heor# of fe"inine s!#le2

This !heor# s%gges!s !ha! +e$a%se "en an' o"en $o""%ni$a!e'i<eren!l# +ase' on !heir gen'er roles an' pla$e in so$ie!#2 I! has $o"ea+o%! !ha! !here are ! o* or "ore* 'is!in$! s!#les of lang%age for$o""%ni$a!ing2 The "as$%line s!#le is !ha! of asser!i(eness* ra!ional* an's!ernness pa#ing a!!en!ion !o 'e!ails an' fa$!s -B%''# an' T%r il'sen* 1..702On !he o!her han'* !he fe"inine s!#le %ses personal narra!i(es an' e"o!ionsan' a s!#le "%$h "ore %sef%l for !ea$hing !he fe"inine $raf!s; -Ca"p+ell*1./.02 Ca"p+ell -1./.0 applies !he pro$ess of $raf! learning -i2e2 se ing*

ni!!ing* "a ing soap0 !o 'is$o%rse an' s!a!es !ha! i! re %ires !he sa"e

$hara$!eris!i$s in all rhe!ori$al si!%a!ions as i! o%l' in !he ar! of !hesefe"inine $raf!s2 These $hara$!eris!i$s in$l%'e !he %se of personal !one*personal e4perien$e* ane$'o!es an' e4a"ples -Ca"p+ell* 1./.02 Do an'

Tonn -1..70 go f%r!her !o a'' $hara$!eris!i$s li e n%r!%ran$e* e"pa!h# an'e"o!ional s%ppor!2

Bo e(er* fe"inine s!#le is no! a lang%age !ha! is holl# for o"en-Ca"p+ell* 1./.02 I! +egan !ha! a#* as a a# for o"en !o $o""%ni$a!e



FEMININE STYLE IN POLITICAL DISCOURSE

!he $raf!s of !he ho"e an' ho"e"a ing2 I! has sin$e e4pan'e' righ! alongi!h o"en>s so$ial* poli!i$al an' e'%$a!ional spheres2 Ca"p+ell -1./.0

e4plains !ha! o"en an' o"anhoo' ere seen as passi(e an' pa!ien! an'!heir s!#le of $o""%ni$a!ing res!e' on i'en!i5$a!ion an' sharing e4perien$esan' "eaning2 This as a'(an!ageo%s !o o"en as !he# +egan !o pers%a'e

!he orl' of !heir $hanging pla$e in so$ie!#2 This s!#le as %se' +# o"en in!he earl# s!ages of !he 5gh! for o"en>s righ!s -Ca"p+ell* 1./.02 Rhe!orsli e L%$re!ia Co n Mo!! an' Eli8a+e!h Ca'# S!an!on as earl# as 1/ @ %se'!his s!#le !o share !heir e4perien$es i!h !he orl' an' %se !heir a+ili!# !oi'en!if# i!h an' pers%a'e !heir a%'ien$e of !he nee' for $hange in so$ie!#-Ca"p+ell* 1./.02

These o"en an' "an# "ore sin$e !hen ha(e %!ili8e' !he s!#le !o 5!$o""%ni$a!ion in !he p%+li$ an' poli!i$al sphere seen !o'a#2 3%!* as

o"en>s righ!s an' pla$e in poli!i$s ha(e $hange'* so has !he s!#le* as i! isno %se' +# +o!h "en an' o"en in poli!i$al 'is$o%rse2 I! is seen "os!

of!en in 'is$o%rse a+o%! o"en>s heal!h iss%es* 'o"es!i$ an' so$ial iss%esan' e'%$a!ion* +# +o!h "en an' o"en2 3%! e(en for fe"ale poli!i$ians* !he"as$%line s!#le appears !o 5! +es! for iss%es of foreign poli$# an' ar2

The s!%'# an' anal#sis of !he !heor# of fe"inine s!#le in poli!i$al'is$o%rse is in$reasingl# i"por!an! in !he Uni!e' S!a!es as lang%age %se' +#poli!i$ians !a e a shif! fro" !he "as$%line !o !he fe"inine !o appease alarger a%'ien$e an' !o +e$o"e "ore persona+le an' h%"an hen appealing!o !heir $ons!i!%en!s2 M# resear$h here sho s !ha! fe"inine s!#le in poli!i$al'is$o%rse is nei!her a ne $on$ep! nor is i! %se' e4$l%si(el# +# fe"alepoli!i$ians2 In a''i!ion* "as$%line an' fe"inine s!#les of 'is$o%rse are no!

"%!%all# e4$l%si(e an' $an +e %se' !oge!her !o $rea!e !he perfe$! +alan$e of a%!hori!# an' sin$eri!#2 In !his li!era!%re re(ie * I ill 5rs! e4plain !heass%"p!ions an' $on$ep!s of !he !heor#* !hen e4a"ine !he 'i<eren! (ie san' s!%'ies of !he fe"inine s!#le as i! per!ains !o poli!i$al 'is$o%rse s%$h as$a"paign a's* 'e+a!es* an' spee$hes2

Overview of Feminine Style

The !heor# of fe"inine s!#le is one of so$ial $ons!r%$!ion i! is a pro'%$!of so$ial in!era$!ion2 I! is also one of 'e!er"inis!s +e$a%se !hese 'i<eren!

s!#les 'e!er"ine ho one sho%l' a$! an' respon' in so$ie!#2 The fe"inines!#le 'e!er"ines ha! lang%age a person* in !his $ase poli!i$ian* sho%l' %se!o share !heir "essage an' pro"o!e !heir i'eas2 In !er"s of a4iolog#* !his!heor# $anno! +e e4plore' (al%e free +e$a%se e as h%"ans p%! (al%e on!he 'i<eren! se4es an' !he lang%age an' po er !ha! ea$h %!ili8e2 Gi!h !he

no le'ge of fe"inine an' "as$%line s!#le* a person $an +e!!er$o""%ni$a!e an'* in !%rn* $on!rol a si!%a!ion or a%'ien$e2




The "os! i"por!an! $on$ep!s are 'es$ri+e' a+o(e* an' !he# arefe"inine* se4 an' gen'er2 Ano!her i"por!an! $on$ep! !ha! is seen!hro%gho%! !he s!%'# of fe"inine s!#le is an'rog#no%s s!#le2 This is 'e5ne'as a "i4 of +o!h "as$%line an' fe"inine s!#le in 'is$o%rse -,i"+le* )@@.02Hen'ere' $o""%ni$a!ion is !he f%n'a"en!al 'i<eren$es +e! een ho "alesan' fe"ales $o""%ni$a!e (er+all# an' !he !rai!s an' s!ereo!#pes of ea$hgen'er !ha! pla# in!o !hose 'i<eren$es2 Fe"ale !rai!s in$l%'e $o"passion*e4pressi(e* in' an' $o""%nion hile "ale !rai!s are asser!i(e* !o%gh* an'ra!ional -B%''# an' T%r il'son* 1..702

3lan enship an' Ro+son>s -1..90 ar!i$le s%ppor!s a fe"inine s!#le inpoli!i$al 'is$o%rse for a fe reasons2 Firs! of all* o"en>s iss%es ha(e $o"e!o !he forefron! of !he poli!i$al area an' ha(e $a%se' !he p%+li$ an' pri(a!es

spheres !o +e reshape' -3lan enship an' Ro+son* 1..902 In a''i!ion* one of!heir $hara$!eris!i$s of !he fe"inine s!#le is +asing poli!i$al 6%'g"en!s on$on$re!e* li(e' e4perien$es*; -3lan enship an' Ro+son* 1..9* p2 79.02 Thisis !he i'ea of %sing personal s!ories an' e4perien$es !o "a e 'e$isions an'propose ne poli$ies2 3ill Clin!on 'i' !his hen he share' his "o!her>ss!r%ggle i!h +reas! $an$er as he propose' ne o"en>s heal!h $are poli$ies-3lan enship an' Ro+son* 1..902 Sena!or Dianne Feins!ein spo e of hergaining her posi!ion as a res%l! of assassina!ion hen !es!e' on her

no le'ge of 5rear"s in a 'e+a!e -3lan enship an' Ro+son* 1..902 All of!hese e4a"ples ill%s!ra!e !he %se of fe"inine s!#le !o $rea!e an i"age an'pla!for" for a $an'i'a!e2 There are se(eral 'i<eren! arenas a $an'i'a!e illspea : 'e+a!es* spee$hes* an' $a"paign a'(er!ise"en!s an' !his li!era!%rere(ie ill loo a! ho ea$h one 'oes or 'oes no! ill%s!ra!e %se of !hefe"inine s!#le an' ho i! "a# +e e<e$!i(e for $an'i'a!es2

Feminine Style in Political Debates

De+a!es o<er a grea! (en%e for spe$i5$ poli!i$al iss%es !o +e 'is$%sse'2 This is a si!%a!ion hen ! o or "ore poli!i$ians go hea' !o hea' in li"i!e'

an' 'ire$!e' 'is$o%rse2 I! is a $han$e for $an'i'a!es !o pro(e !he"sel(esno le'gea+le on a !opi$2 Bo e(er* a 'e+a!e $o%l' also +e a si!%a!ion here

$an'i'a!es lose an a%'ien$e '%e !o !heir ina+ili!# !o hol' !heir o n gro%n' ore4press !heir (al%es2 Topi$s $an shif! rapi'l#* an' $an'i'a!es> s!#les "a#$hange 'epen'ing on !he opponen! an' $on(ersa!ion - ohnson* )@@902Poli!i$al 'e+a!es are a large par! of a ra$e an' $an ha(e a s!rong e<e$! on(o!ers> 'e$isions2 As !here +e$o"e "ore an' "ore fe"ale $an'i'a!es in all



FEMININE STYLE IN POLITICAL DISCOURSE=

le(els of poli!i$al o $e* !here are "ore o"en in(ol(e' in $a"paign ra$esan' 'e+a!es2 This $alls for anal#sis of !he fe"inine s!#le in !his 'is$o%rse2

3an ar! an' M$,inne# -)@@90 fo%n' !ha! !here are no signi5$an!'i<eren$es +e! een !he a# "ale an' fe"ale $an'i'a!es %se 'i<eren!!a$!i$s in a 'e+a!e2 For e4a"ple* "ales an' fe"ales e"plo#e' a!!a$ s on!he opposi!ion a+o%! !he sa"e a"o%n! of !i"es in !heir anal#sis of sena!ean' g%+erna!orial 'e+a!es -3an ar! an' M$,inne#* )@@902 The sa"e as!r%e for !heir %se of appeals an' !he a"o%n! of !i"e an' !#pes of iss%es ea$hgen'er $o(ere'2 Bo e(er* 3an ar! an' M$,inne# -)@@90 s!a!e !ha! !here isan apparen! $o""%ni$a!ion s!#le for 'e+a!es* +%! "ales an' fe"ales 'o no!see" !o %!ili8e one gen'ere' s!#le "ore !han !he o!her as a hole or +#gen'er2 I! see"s !o +e in ea$h $an'i'a!e>s +es! in!eres! !o %!ili8e a $er!ains!#le 'epen'ing on !he !a$!i$s re %ire'2 If !he opponen! is o(erl# aggressi(e

on a s%+6e$! li e foreign poli$#* a $an'i'a!e* "ale or fe"ale* "a# nee' !op%ll o%! a "ore "as$%line 'o"inan$e !o oppress !he a!!a$ an' s!an' his orher gro%n'2 On !he o!her han'* !he $an'i'a!e "a# 5n' i! +es!* gi(en !hes%+6e$! -i2e2 heal!h$are0* !o approa$h !he $on(ersa!ion i!h a "ore fe"inines!#le2 Fe"inine s!#le ill gi(e !he (ie ers !he in'i$a!ion !ha! !he $an'i'a!eis "ore s%i!e' for !he iss%e +e$a%se he or she is no! aggressi(e an'"as$%line li e !he opponen!2

ohnson -)@@90 has $o"e !o a si"ilar $on$l%sion2 Hi(en !he s%+6e$!an' !he $an'i'a!e* one s!#le "a# no! 5! all2 The poli!i$al par!#* in$%"+en$#*an' "essage $on!en! all pla# a role in !he s!#le +es! s%i!e' for !he 'e+a!ean' $an'i'a!e - ohnson* )@@902 In ohnson>s -)@@90 s!%'# of presi'en!ial'e+a!es +e! een 1.=@ an' )@@@* onl# "ale $an'i'a!es ere par!i$ipan!s in!he 'e+a!es2 Bo e(er* !hree ele"en!s of fe"inine s!#le !ha! ere 'e5ne' aspersonal e4perien$e* in'%$!i(e s!r%$!%re* an' !he %se of ane$'o!es erepresen! in presi'en!ial 'e+a!e 'is$o%rse - ohnson* )@@902 This "eans !ha!no! onl# are !hese ele"en!s of fe"inine s!#le seen in poli!i$al 'e+a!es +%!!he# are %se' +# "ales in 'e+a!e 'is$o%rse2 ohnson -)@@90 arg%es !ha! no!eno%gh in'%$!i(e s!r%$!%re an' ane$'o!es ere %se' !o 'e!er"ine !ha!

fe"inine rhe!ori$al s!#le as %se' +e$a%se pas! resear$h on her par!ill%s!ra!e' !ha! "%l!iple ele"en!s nee' !o +e presen! "ore !han +# $han$e2In a''i!ion* hen $o"pare' !o !he personal e4perien$es anal#8e' in AnnRi$har's> poli!i$al 'is$o%rse e4a"ine' +# Do an' Tonn -1..70* !hese "ale$an'i'a!es !ol' s!ories of pas! poli!i$al en'ea(o%rs an' e4perien$e* no!s!ories of fa"il# an' $hil'hoo'* li e Ri$har's 'i' - ohnson )@@902 I! "a# also+e !he fas! pa$e an' !i"e res!rain!s in a poli!i$al 'e+a!e !ha! li"i! a



FEMININE STYLE IN POLITICAL DISCOURSEJ

$an'i'a!e>s !i"e an' a+ili!# !o %!ili8e !he fe"inine s!#le e<e$!i(el#* so he$hooses !o go i!h a "ore 'ire$!* fa$!%al approa$h !o ge! !he "os! of hisli"i!e' !i"e !o spea - ohnson )@@902

ohnson -)@@90 an' 3an ar! an' M$,inne# -)@@90 ha(e 'i<eren!approa$hes !o s!%'#ing 'e+a!e 'is$o%rse +%! also 'i' so +# s!%'#ing'i<eren! $an'i'a!es* 'e+a!es an' !i"e fra"es pro'%$ing 'i<eren!perspe$!i(es on !he %se of fe"inine s!#le2 ohnson -)@@90 "a# no! agree!ha! fe"inine s!#le as %se' hen onl# a fe ele"en!s ere presen! +%!3an ar! an' M$,inne# -)@@90 ill%s!ra!e !ha! an# %se of !he fe"inine s!#le isill%s!ra!ing !his $hange in 'is$o%rse an' !he (ar#ing nee' for 'i<eren! s!#lesof rhe!ori$2 A loo a! o!her !#pes of poli!i$al 'is$o%rse "a# help +ring "ore$lari!# !o !he %se of fe"inine s!#le in poli!i$al 'is$o%rse2

Feminine Style in Political Speeches

Spee$hes are a 'e$isi(e par! of a $an'i'a!e>s $a"paign an' $an of!en!i"es "a e or +rea !he" as a respe$!e' poli!i$ian2 Ta#lor -)@1)0 anal#8e'Nan$# Pelosi* for"er Spea er of !he Bo%se* an' her lang%age an' s!#le %se'in !he 5gh! for !he heal!h$are +ill2 A$$or'ing !o Ta#lor -)@1)0* Pelosi as in a'i $%l! posi!ion as a fe"ale Spea er of !he Bo%se +%! she %se' her fe"inines!#le !o ge! !hings 'one2 Ber in(ol(e"en! in !he heal!h$are refor" asinK%en!ial2 Pelosi %se' personal s!ories an' e4perien$es spea ing of herfa"il# '%ring her spee$h a+o%! !he +ill ra!her !han s!rong ar"ing; o!herrepresen!a!i(es2

S# es -)@@/0 $o"es !o !he $on$l%sion in her ar!i$le !ha! 'i<eren! !i"es$all for 'i<eren! !#pes of lea'ers i!h 'i<eren! s!#les2 Margare! Tha!$her

as no n for her 'ire$! an' "as$%linis! s!#le2 She as a +ol' an' !o%ghlea'er* +%! a! !he !i"e* !ha! is ha! her $o%n!r# nee'e'2 3ill Clin!on as

no n "ore for his %se of !he personal an' fe"inine s!#le2 Be as ele$!e'+e! een !he Col' Gar an' !he a!!a$ s of Sep!e"+er 11* )@@1* so he 5! !he"ore pea$ef%l an' passi(e !i"e !ha! !he $o%n!r# allo e'2 Ghen Billar#

Clin!on !rie' !o follo Tha!$her>s lea'* she fo%n' herself fa$ing "orea'(ersi!# an' !he s!#le 'i' no! 5! her nor !he $o%n!r# she as !r#ing !o lea'2Clin!on>s !o%gh s!#le is a'"ire' +%! she has ha' !o or !o eep i! +alan$e'

i!h her fe"inine s!#le for !he "os! s%$$ess as a poli!i$al lea'er2

Ghen i! $a"e !o !he )@@/ De"o$ra!i$ pri"ar# ra$e +e! een Billar#Clin!on an' 3ara$ O+a"a* Clin!on nee'e' !o +e s!rong* $apa+le an'



FEMININE STYLE IN POLITICAL DISCOURSE/

'e!er"ine' -S# es* )@@/02 O+a"a* as a +la$ "an* nee'e' !o a(oi' an#aggressi(e +la$ "an; s!ereo!#pes so he or e' !o "a e his i"age "ore

open* in(i!ing an' op!i"is!i$2 As a "an* he alrea'# see"e' "ore 5! !o +e$o""an'er in $hief i!h his na!%ral "as$%lini!# so he 'i' no! nee' !oreinfor$e his "as$%lini!# in !he a# Clin!on 'i' -S# es* )@@/02 Bo e(er* apoli!i$ian $anno! +e s%$$essf%l on spee$hes alone he or she "%s! a'(er!ise2

Feminine Style in Campaign Advertisements

Ghen r%nning for o $e* a $an'i'a!e nee's !o rea$h $i!i8ens on "an#'i<eren! "e'ia2 A'(er!ise"en!s are %sef%l +e$a%se* %nli e a 'e+a!e* !he$an'i'a!e has f%ll $on!rol of ho he or she is por!ra#e' an' ha! s!#le ofrhe!ori$ +es! 5!s !he !opi$ an' o$$asion2 In a''i!ion* !he s$ene an' i"ages%se' $an help or h%r! a $an'i'a!e>s "essage2

Perhaps no! s%rprisingl#* a s!%'# 'one +# 3an ar! -)@1@0 on gen'ers!ereo!#pes in !he )@@/ ele$!ion fo%n' !ha! !ra'i!ional !rai! s!ereo!#pes$on!in%e !o +e genera!e' in !he e(al%a!ion of fe"ale $an'i'a!es af!er(ie ing !heir poli!i$al a'(er!ise"en!s*; -p2 )JJ02 Male an' fe"ale$an'i'a!es ere ra!e' on !heir $o"pe!en$# in 'i<eren! areas s%$h as"ili!ar# an' e$ono"i$ iss%es an' $o"passion; iss%es2 In !his s!%'#* "ales

ere (ie e' as "ore $o"pe!en! for "ili!ar# an' e$ono"i$ iss%es !han for$o"passion iss%es hile fe"ales ere ra!e' e(enl# in +o!h $a!egories-3an ar!* )@1102

Bo e(er* 3an ar! an' M$,inne# -)@@90 poin!e' o%! in !heir $on$l%sion!ha! "ale $an'i'a!es %se' fe"inine s!#le or !rai!s "ore asso$ia!e' i!h !hiss!#le '%ring !ele(ise' a'(er!ise"en!s s%$h as sensi!i(i!# an' %n'ers!an'ingas oppose' !o !rai!s li e hones!# an' in!egri!# !ha! are of!en $a!egori8e' as"as$%line !rai!s2 On !he o!her han'* !hese !rai!s ere seen ina'(er!ise"en!s anal#8e' of fe"ale $an'i'a!es as ell2

Ga's or!h e! al2 -1./J0 $on'%$!e' a s!%'# in hi$h !he# $rea!e' si4

=@ se$on' $a"paign a'(er!ise"en!s for a fe"ale $an'i'a!e* ea$h %sing a'i<eren! s!ra!eg#2 The si4 s!ra!egies or !a$!i$s %se' ere aggressi(e*nonaggressi(e* $areer* fa"il#* a"+i!io%s an' nona"+i!io%s2 For ea$h of !hea'(er!ise"en!s* J) J9 of $on!en! as ep! $onsis!en! +e! een all (i'eos

i!h !he fo%r!h paragraph %!ili8ing !he s!ra!eg# !o +e e"plo#e'2 Things li eges!%res* se!!ing* (oi$e an' $lo!hes ere a'6%s!e' !o $oin$i'e i!h !he$an'i'a!e an' s!ra!eg#2 The $an'i'a!e %se' as a fe"ale in her !hir!ies



FEMININE STYLE IN POLITICAL DISCOURSE1@

sho n !o%$hing ano!her person in !heir a' !han "en2 Males %se' (oi$eo(ers* a Pro'%$!ion S!ra!eg#* "ore !han fe"ale $an'i'a!es2

Ghile !his ar!i$le an' s!%'# $an +e signi5$an! for !he s!%'# of fe"inines!#le* !he resear$hers ere loo ing "ore for a 'i<eren$e in fe"ale an' "ales!#le* no! fe"inine an' "as$%line s!#le2 There as no real $o"parison+e! een !he %se of fe"inine s!#le an' "as$%line s!#le a"ong fe"ale$an'i'a!es or a"ong "ale $an'i'a!es2 The# onl# $o"pare' "ales an'fe"ales as !ho%gh !he 'i<eren$e in s!#les is +iologi$al* no! gen'ere' ass!a!e' +# Ca"p+ell -1./.0 an' Do an' Tonn -1..702 I fo%n' !his i"por!an!!o in$l%'e +e$a%se !his s!%'# as $on'%$!e' on a'(er!ise"en!s in !he 1./@s

hen o!her resear$hers ere onl# 6%s! 'is$o(ering an' p%+lishing !his !heor#as i! is !o'a#2 Tren! an' Sa+o%rin -1..70 sa a 'i<eren$e in s!#les +%! 'i'no! s!%'# or e4plain !he" in !he sa"e a#* %sing !he !heor# of fe"inine

s!#le2 This s!%'# $o%l' +e re'one in or'er !o loo for !he fe"inine an'"as$%line s!#le a"ong $an'i'a!es as a hole* no! +e! een "ales an'fe"ales as if !he 'i<eren$e in s!#le is +iologi$al2 There is eno%gh e(i'en$e in!he o!her s!%'ies e4a"ine' here -Ga's or!h e! al2* 1./J* 3an ar! an'M$,inne#* )@@9 an' 3an ar!* )@1)0 !o no !he lang%age is gen'ere' an'$an +e %!ili8e' +# +o!h "ales an' fe"ales2

Androgynous Style of Rhetoric

F%r!her 'e+a!e a+o%! !he %se of fe"inine s!#le arg%es !ha! "ore !han afe $hara$!eris!i$s of !he lang%age nee' !o +e presen! for i! !o $o%n! asfe"inine s!#le -Parr# Hiles an' Parr# Hiles* 1..=02 3e$a%se of !his* i! isapparen! !ha! !hese ! o s!#les* "as$%line an' fe"inine* are no! "%!%all#e4$l%si(e an' $an +e %se' !oge!her in a# !ha! $rea!es a ne lang%age ors!#le2 This is ill%s!ra!e' in Parr# Hiles an' Parr# Hiles> -1..=0 anal#sis of 5(epresi'en!ial $a"paign 5l"s2 In "an# a#s !hese 5l"s %se' $hara$!eris!i$sof !he fe"inine s!#le: Ronal' Reagan %se' ane$'o!es an' share' his feelingson !he @!h anni(ersar# of D Da#* Heorge B2 G2 3%sh presen!e' hi"self assensi!i(e !o (o!ers> nee's* Mi$hael D% a is>s 5l" as non linear in

organi8a!ion an' 3ill Clin!on>s 5l" %se' ane$'o!es an' (er# personalnarra!i(es fro" his life -Parr# Hiles an' Parr# Hiles* 1..=02 Bo e(er* ea$h5l" ha' (er# "as$%line $hara$!eris!i$s as ell* hi$h %l!i"a!el# "a'e Parr#Hiles an' Parr# Hiles 'e$i'e !he# ere "%$h "ore "as$%line !han fe"ininein s!#le2 Ea$h "en!ione' !he $an'i'a!e>s a+ili!# !o lea' an' "a e 'e$isions*"en!ione' e4perien$e in !he "ili!ar# an' so"e re$ap!%re' !heir li(es*personal an' poli!i$al in $hronologi$al or'er2




,i"+le -)@@.0 anal#8e' ohn F2 ,enne'#>s $o""en$e"en! spee$h TheS!ra!eg# of Pea$e>> presen!e' a! A"eri$an Uni(ersi!# in 1.=72 In !his ar!i$le*,i"+le -)@@.0 'is$%sses ,enne'#>s %se of +o!h !he fe"inine an' "as$%lines!#le* hi$h he refers !o as an'rog#no%s s!#le> in !his spee$h an' !he e<e$!si! ha' on !he a%'ien$es !ha! hear' !he spee$h2 This is a grea! e4a"ple ofho "en as ell as o"en $an %se fe"inine s!#le +%! also ho a "i4 of !he! o s!#les perhaps $rea!es a !hir' s!#le of 'is$o%rse !ha! $anno! ne$essaril#+e gen'ere' in !he sa"e a#2 There is a s!rong 'i(i'e a"ong s$holars as !oif !his spee$h as s%$$essf%l in pro"o!ing orl' pea$e or if i! as 'a"aging!o !he $%rren! s!a!e of foreign a<airs* "os!l#* !he Col' Gar -,i"+le* )@@.02,i"+le -)@@.0 anal#8es !he spee$h i!h !his in "in' !hro%gh !he $on$ep! of

gen'ere' s!#le> an' $o"paring !he e<e$!s of !he fe"inine s!#le %se' an'"as$%line s!#le !ha! ,enne'# %se'2

The S!ra!eg# of Pea$e; 'is$%sses !he Col' Gar an' ar is %s%all# a"as$%line s%+6e$! -,i"+le* )@@.02 On !he o!her han'* !he pea$ef%l rhe!ori$*!ha! of $on$ern for h%"ani!# an' $oopera!ion is of!en asso$ia!e' i!h !he%se of fe"inine s!#le -,i"+le* )@@.02 3o!h of !hese $on$ep!s are !he "ain!he"es in ,enne'#>s spee$h an' a f%r!her anal#sis sho s !ha! +o!h s!#lesare %se' an' +o!h ha(e an e<e$! on !he 'i<eren! a%'ien$es of !he spee$h2

This spee$h $an +e seen as a plea !o en' !he Col' Gar an' !o +e re%ni!e'i!h !he So(ie! Union !o $rea!e a safer an' +e!!er orl'2 ,enne'# %ses !he

!hree s!ra!egies of reh%"ani8ing rhe!ori$;* a !er" $oine' +# ,i"+le -)@@ *p2 =902 These s!ra!egies are feeling $o"passion* a'op!ing s%<eran$e an'e4perien$ing i'en!i5$a!ion -,i"+le* )@@ 02 ,enne'# %ses !hese !hree !o p%!!he So(ie! Union* !he ene"#* in a +e!!er ligh! +# sho ing $o"passion for!he"* en$o%raging his a%'ien$e -+o!h s!%'en!s a! !he $o""en$e"en! an'!he A"eri$an people as a hole0 !o see !he" as h%"ans an' !o a'op!!oleran$e an' %n'ers!an'ing -,i"+le* )@@.02

This spee$h sho s ! o s!ra!egies of "as$%line lang%age hi$h are$on'es$ension an' in$ri"ina!ion -,i"+le* )@@.02 ,enne'# spea s as !ho%gh

!he Uni!e' S!a!es is a+o(e !he So(ie! Union an' a$$or'ing !o ,i"+le -)@@.0*%es!ions !he in!elligen$e of no! 6%s! !he go(ern"en! +%! !he So(ie! people

!oo* +%! !he" +elo !he A"eri$an people2 In a''i!ion* ,enne'# spea s ofpea$e +%! onl# on$e !he So(ie! people are enligh!ene'> -,i"+le* )@@.* p21=)02 This all ill%s!ra!es a (er# "as$%line s!#le +e$a%se ,enne'# is pla$inghi"self an' his na!ion a+o(e !he So(ie! Union an' e(en p%!s !he" a! fa%l!for !he Gar i!self an' "o$ ing !he !hrea!s !he# ha(e "a'e -,i"+le* )@@.02



FEMININE STYLE IN POLITICAL DISCOURSE1)

This anal#ses +# ,i"+le -)@@.0 an' Parr# Hiles an' Parr# Hiles -1..=0ill%s!ra!es !he %se of an'rog#no%s s!#le* no! 6%s! fe"inine or "as$%lines!#les2 S!%'ies $anno! 6%s! s!op a! one s!#le or !he o!her2 As !he poli!i$alreal" $hanges* in$l%'ing "ore fe"ale poli!i$ians as ell as 'o"es!i$ iss%esof heal!h $are an' e'%$a!ion !he fe"ale s!#le is %sef%l2 3%! as !here illne(er +e a !i"e hen 'o"es!i$ iss%es are !he sole s%+6e$! an' !al s of aran' pea$e an' foreign poli$# are s!ill rele(an!* !he "as$%line s!#le "%s! +ein$orpora!e' for +o!h "ale an' fe"ales poli!i$ians2 Th%s* !he an'rog#no%ss!#le has i!s pla$e in poli!i$s2

Implications

A "a6or iss%e i!h !his !heor# is !ha! is s!ill +eing 'e5ne' an' agree'

%pon !o'a#2 Ca"p+ell -1./.0 an' Do an' Tonn -1..70 pa(e' !he a# for!his !heor# !o +e s!%'ie' in poli!i$al 'is$o%rse* +%! as ill%s!ra!e' +# Tren! an'Sa+o%rin -1..70 !here is a lo! "ore !o +e 'e5ne' an' es!a+lishe' hen$o"paring gen'er* se4 an' !he s!#le %se' +# $an'i'a!es2 In a''i!ion* a lo! of !hese s!%'ies ere 'one +# anal#sis of a spee$h or 'e+a!e an' onl# ahan'f%l ere 'one +# s!%'#ing ho !he $an'i'a!es are a$$ep!e' +# !hep%+li$2 There is s!ill a lo! "ore !o +e e4a"ine' in !he area of ho !his s!#le ise<e$!i(e i!h (o!ers2 More %an!i!a!i(e s!%'ies sho%l' +e 'one !o%n'ers!an' 6%s! hen ea$h s!#le is %se'* hen i! is "ore e<e$!i(e an' ha!

in' of a%'ien$e a$$ep!s ha! s!#le of lang%age2 I! is also $lear !ha! !hean'rog#no%s s!#le $o%l' +e es!a+lishe' as i!s o n* ra!her !han !here 6%s!+eing a fe"inine s!#le an' a "as$%line s!#le2 %s! as !he gen'ers o(erlapan' are $hanging in "an# a#s* !he s!#les are no! al a#s eas# !o 'e5ne as! o separa!e s!#les2 Ins!ea'* !hese ar!i$les ha(e es!a+lishe' !here !here is apla$e an' !i"e for ea$h s!#le an' no one s!#le +es! 5!s a $an'i'a!e or asi!%a!ion -,i"+le* )@@.* Parr# Hiles an' Parr# Hiles* 1..= an' S# es* )@@/02

This !heor# is (er# he%ris!i$ +e$a%se o%r so$ie!# is $on!in%ing !o$hange an' shape !he p%+li$ an' pri(a!e spheres2 M%$h "ore is +e$o"ing

p%+li$ $on(ersa!ion !ha! as on$e onl# 'is$%sse' in !he ho"e or !he 'o$!or>so $e2 In a''i!ion* e are fa$ing (er# 'i<eren! in's of ars !han !hose !ha!

ere seen in !he pas!2 So$ial "e'ia an' in$rease' "e'ia $o(erage of$an'i'a!es an' iss%es are "a ing poli!i$ians "ore a$$essi+le !o !he p%+li$an' !herefore !heir personal li(es $an pla# a +ig role in !heir s%$$ess2 &o!ers

an! !o no a+o%! a $an'i'a!e>s his!or#* fa"il#* an' personal (ie poin!s-fe"inine s!#le0 an' no! 6%s! a+o%! !heir i'eas on poli$# an' go(ern"en!




-"as$%line s!#le02 This has in$rease' !he %se of fe"inine s!#le an' e(en$rea!e' a ne s!#le* !he an'rog#no%s s!#le an' +o!h nee' !o +e s!%'ie'in$reasingl# as !i"e goes on2 No! onl# are "ore o"en ele$!e' ea$h #earin!o p%+li$ o $e* +%! "ale $an'i'a!es are seeing !he i"por!an$e an' !he(al%e in %!ili8ing !he fe"inine s!#le

Conclusion

The s!%'ies an' anal#ses 'is$%sse' here s%ppor! Ca"p+ell>s -1./.0 an' Doan' Tonn>s -1..70 !heor# of fe"inine s!#le an' i!s pre(alen! %se in poli!i$al'is$o%rse2 3o!h "ale an' fe"ale $an'i'a!es %se !he fe"inine s!#le in'e+a!es* spee$hes* an' $a"paign a'(er!ise"en!s !o ill%s!ra!e !heir a+ili!# !o+e personal an' in(ol(e' an' $onne$! i!h !he a%'ien$e: !heir (o!ers2 Thefe"inine s!#le* 5rs! o%!line' +# Ca"p+ell in Man Cannot Speak for her henshe an!hologi8e' o"en>s a$!i(is!s rhe!ors as far +a$ as 1//@* is one !ha!%ses e4perien$e* n%r!%ran$e an' $o"passion !o spea !o an a%'ien$e an'appear no le'gea+le an' in(es!e' in iss%es li e o"en>s heal!h an'e'%$a!ion2 I! 'ire$!l# 6%4!aposes !he "as$%line rhe!ori$al s!#le hi$h is !ha!of spe$i5$ 'e!ails* or'er an' 'o"inan$e -B%''# an' T%r il'sen* 1..702




Referen$es:

3an ar!* M2 -)@1@02 Hen'er an' $an'i'a!e $o""%ni$a!ion: E<e$!s ofs!ereo!#pes in !he )@@/ ele$!ion2 American Behavioral Scientist * 54 -70*

)=9 )/72 'oi: 1@211JJ @@@)J= )1@7/1J@)3an ar!* M2* M$,inne#* M2 S2 -)@@902 A gen'ere' inK%en$e in $a"paign

'e+a!es Anal#sis of "i4e'Qgen'er Uni!e' S!a!es sena!e an'g%+erna!orial 'e+a!es2 Communication Studies * 56 - 0* 797 7J72'oi:1@21@/@ 1@[email protected]@9@@71. 7

3lan enship* 2* Ro+son* D2 C2 -1..902 A fe"inine s!#le in o"en spoli!i$al 'is$o%rse: An e4plora!or# essa#2 Communication Quarterly * 43 -70* 797 7==2

Ca"p+ell* ,2 ,2 -1./.02 Man Cannot Speak for Her A Critical Study of!arly "eminist #hetoric -&ol2 102 Ges!por!* CT: Hreen oo' Press* In$2

Cohn* C2 -1..702 Gars* i"ps* an' o"en: Tal ing gen'er an' !hin ingar2 In M2 Coo e A2 Goolla$o!! -E's20* $enderin% &ar talk -pp2 ))9

) =02 Prin$e!on: Prin$e!on Uni(ersi!# Press2

Do * 32 2* Tonn* M2 32 -1..702 Fe"inine s!#le>> an' poli!i$al 6%'g"en! in !he rhe!ori$ of Ann Ri$har's2 Quarterly 'ournal of Speech *() * )/= 7@)2

B%''#* L2* Ter il'sen* N2 -1..702 Hen'er s!ereo!#pes an' !heper$ep!ion of "ale an' fe"ale $an'i'a!es2 American 'ournal of *oliticalScience *3( -10* 11. 1 J2

ohnson* D2 -)@@902 Fe"inine s!#le in presi'en!ial 'e+a!e 'is$o%rse*1.=@ )@@@2Communication Quarterly * 53 -10* 7 )@2

,i"+le* 2 2 -)@@ 02 Fe"inine s!#le an' !he reh%"ani8a!ion of !heene"#: Pea$e"a ing 'is$o%rse in +adies Home 'ournal * 1. 9 1. =2,omen - +an%ua%e * .( -)0* =9 J@2

,i"+le* 2 -)@@.02 ohn F2 ,enne'#* !he $ons!r%$!ion of pea$e* an' !hepi!falls of an'rog#no%s rhe!ori$2 Communication Quarterly * 5( -)0* 191J@2

Parr# Hiles* S2 2* Parr# Hiles* T2 -1..=02 Hen'ere' poli!i$s an'presi'en!ial i"age $ons!r%$!ion: A reassess"en! of !he fe"inine




s!#le 2 Communication Mono%raphs/ 63 - 0* 77J2

S# es* P2 -)@@/0 Hen'er in !he )@@/ presi'en!ial ele$!ion: T o !#pes of!i"e $olli'e2 *S *olitical Science and *olitics * 40 - 0* J=1 J=

Ta#lor* M2 -)@1)02 Ma'a"e Spea er* e ha(e !he (o!es: Fe"inis! s!#lean' Nan$# Pelosi s personal an' poli!i$al roles in !he heal!h $are refor"'e+a!e2 ,omen - +an%ua%e * 35 -10* 1)J 1712

Tren!* 2 S2 Sa+o%rin* T2 -1..702 Se4 s!ill $o%n!s: Go"en>s %se of!ele(ise' a'(er!ising '%ring !he 'e$a'es of !he /@>s2 'ournal of AppliedCommunication #esearch * .0 -10* )12

Ga's or!h* A2 2* Pa!!erson* P2* ,ai'* L2 L2* C%llers* H2* Mal$o"+* D2* La"iran'* L2 -1./J02 Mas$%line; (s2 fe"inine; s!ra!egies in poli!i$ala's: I"pli$a!ions for fe"ale $an'i'a!es2 'ournal of AppliedCommunication #esearch * 05 -1 )0* JJ . 2

A Collapsing of Spheres: A Look at the Feminine Style in Political Discourse

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