04051001882 gender equality a critical discourse analysis of emma wation’s speech in “heforshe” campaign at the united nations, 2014
INTRODUCTION
Rationale of the study
Discourse extends beyond mere sentences, serving as a crucial tool for communication that conveys not only ideas but also emotions and social practices (Schiffrin, 2001) It is influenced by various factors, making it inherently non-neutral Values, ideologies, emotions, and interests shape discourse, utilizing language elements to communicate effectively This use of language is vital in constructing the values and ideas that discourse aims to express.
This study employs Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to examine Emma Watson's speech, as CDA addresses various societal aspects where language significantly influences individual development Language serves as a communication medium, enabling the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and beliefs, while also reflecting culture and identity Its multifaceted roles are evident across politics, education, religion, and more, making it challenging to pinpoint all its functions Discourse, defined as the language of action in context, reveals power dynamics between language and specific groups, as noted by Michel Foucault CDA investigates how language operates in relation to power, focusing on interactions within society and uncovering the intricate connections between language, power, and ideology Foucault further asserts that CDA highlights how controversial narratives persist within social, political, and historical frameworks.
This research employs Systemic Functional Grammar theory, as developed by Halliday and other systemic grammarians, to elucidate the systemic and functional aspects of Watson's speech It identifies three primary macro-functions: the ideational or experiential function, which allows individuals to articulate their experiences of the world, including imagined scenarios; the interpersonal function, which facilitates interaction, relationship-building, and the expression of opinions; and the textual function, which ensures that language is contextually relevant and distinct, serving as a living message rather than a mere grammatical entry (Halliday 1973: 42).
Men and women still experience significant disparities in access to opportunities and decision-making power, with women facing fewer economic participation chances, limited access to education, increased health and safety risks, and underrepresentation in politics Empowering women and girls is essential for achieving gender equality and fulfilling various international development goals When women are empowered, they enhance the health and productivity of their families, communities, and nations, fostering a positive
Emma Watson is a prominent liberal feminist advocating for gender equality, viewing female oppression as rooted in patriarchal relationships She calls for both legal reforms and a transformation in societal attitudes Consequently, the author critiques her speech on gender and equality.
"HeForShe" campaign in the hopes that it will change men's and women's beliefs and ideologies, allowing them to be who they want to be and develop their own identities.
Aims of the study and research questions
The study examines Emma Watson's speech on gender equality, highlighting its role in raising awareness among women about their right to fair treatment Additionally, the research reveals the existing gender inequality gap between men and women, aiming to inspire men and boys globally to join forces with women and girls in the pursuit of achieving true gender equality.
To fulfill this aim, two questions are raised for exploration:
1 How is language utilized to describe the ideology and power relationship in Emma Watson’s speech in the ―HeForShe Campaign at the United Nations, 2014?
2 How does Emma Wation’s speech affect men and women’s beliefs and ideologies?
Significance of the study
This research aims to enhance the field of linguistic studies, particularly in Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) It serves as a reference for Halliday and Fairclough’s theories while expanding knowledge on written discourse Additionally, it fosters critical awareness among language learners and readers, encouraging the development of critical thinking skills when engaging with speeches or texts.
Scope of the study
This research centers exclusively on Emma Watson's speech regarding "Gender Equality" delivered during the HeForShe campaign The author recognizes that a broader range of information would enhance the reliability of the study's findings However, due to time constraints and the limited scope of a minor thesis, the analysis is confined to Watson's specific address on gender equality.
The study employed Fairclough's Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) principles alongside the theories of CDA scholars such as Van Dijk It focused specifically on how these CDA tenets addressed the research questions Additionally, Halliday's Systemic Functional Grammar was utilized to offer analytical tools for the research.
The study focused on Halliday’s model of transitivity and modality patterns, analyzing the primary process types: Material, Mental, and Relational processes Additionally, the behavioral, verbal, and existential process types were examined only when they were prominently featured in the selected text.
Method of the study
This study utilizes both qualitative and quantitative research methods, employing Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) theory and the Interpersonal Meaning Modality developed by Norman Fairclough, alongside Systemic Functional Grammar theory established by Halliday These frameworks serve as the primary analytical tools for describing, analyzing, and interpreting Emma Watson's discourse during the HeForShe Campaign at the United Nations.
From 2014 onwards, the focus has been on uncovering the connections between language, power, and ideology within discourse Quantitative research plays a crucial role by gathering numerical data to clarify these relationships more effectively.
Structure of the thesis
This study is organized into five chapters
Chapter 1: Introduction - presents an overview of the research in which the rationale, the aims, the research questions, the scope as well as the organization are shortly expressed
Chapter 2 : Literature Review and Theoretical Background – provides basic concepts, theoretical framework and related research of the study
Chapter 3: Research Methodology – presents a detailed description of methodological choices for the study: data collection procedures and data analysis procedures
Chapter 4: Findings and Discussion – gives the findings and discussions of the study Chapter 5: Conclusion - summarizes the study, gives some conclusion points to the study, and discusses the limitations of the study as well as suggestions for further research.
LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL
Discourse analysis
Discourse extends beyond individual sentences and serves as a vital tool for communication, aiming not only to convey ideas but also to reflect social practices within a society (Schiffrin, 2001) Various factors, including values, ideologies, emotions, and interests, can influence discourse, making it inherently non-neutral The elements of language used in discourse play a crucial role in promoting specific values or ideas Discourse can manifest in both written and spoken forms, with persuasive speech being a notable example This type of speech is designed to influence the choices, thoughts, and reactions of an audience regarding ideas, issues, concepts, or products.
The foundation of discourse analysis is a critique of a realist approach to language
The article argues against the notion that social reality possesses a fixed intrinsic meaning that language merely reflects Instead, it posits that meaning is constructed through language, making it an integral part of the social world Discourses consist of interconnected statements, both visual and textual, that pertain to specific topics and establish an authoritative language for discussion, leading to tangible consequences Consequently, discourses influence our understanding of issues, which in turn affects our actions Discourse analysis focuses not on texts or images as sources of factual evidence, but rather on understanding the claims these texts or images make about truth and how these claims impact the social landscape.
Critical stylistics, rooted in critical linguistics and discourse analysis, has been significantly influenced by systemic-functional linguistics (Jeffries, 2010) Originating in the mid-1970s at the University of East Anglia, critical linguistics, led by Roger Fowler and his colleagues, examines the connection between language and ideology This field investigates how social patterns in language shape human thought, emphasizing the expression of social meanings like power and ideology through language, and how these expressions influence our perception of the world (Nứrgaard et al., 2010: 11-2).
Critical linguistics employs systematic grammar to explore the intrinsic link between language and social meaning, particularly in contexts like article titles and advertisements, where ideologies may be subtly embedded in discourse (Wales, 2011: 96) Emerging in the mid-1980s through the work of Norman Fairclough and others, critical discourse analysis builds on the foundations laid by critical linguistics This field examines how language interacts with society, asserting that it plays a vital role in fostering and legitimizing inequality, injustice, and oppression (Nrgaard et al., 2010: 69).
Critical discourse analysis is distinguished by a wide range of theoretical and methodological approaches, and while concepts such as "power," "discourse," and
Ideology plays a crucial role in critical discourse analysis (CDA), which encompasses various definitions without leading to discord among analysts The unifying objective of CDA is to critique dominant discourses and genres that perpetuate inequality, injustice, and oppression in modern society.
Critical discourse analysis originates from various fields such as cognitive science, anthropology, philosophy, rhetoric, applied linguistics, and sociolinguistics Practitioners in this area utilize multiple discourse analysis frameworks alongside critical social theories.
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) transcends critical linguistics by grounding itself in critical social theories, highlighting the connection between discourse and social practices It adopts an interdisciplinary approach, examining not just texts and conversations but also their contexts, utilizing historical or ethnographic methods when necessary CDA broadens its scope to include multimedia forms of communication, recognizing that discourse is expressed not only through text and dialogue but also through images and other communicative mediums (van Leeuwen, 2006).
Hermeston (2017) highlights that critical stylistics, largely developed by Jeffries, is significantly influenced by Paul Simpson's work on ideology and point of view, as well as feminist stylistics The evolution of critical stylistics took approximately 15 years and involved contributions from Fowler, Burton, Simpson, and Jeffries Jeffries defines critical stylistics as a new domain that merges critical discourse analysis with stylistics, aiming to rigorously analyze non-literary texts to uncover their ideological foundations He emphasizes that the primary focus of critical stylistics is to reveal underlying ideologies within texts, as all texts are ideologically constructed, whether consciously or unconsciously, reflecting Simpson's assertion that language is inherently tied to the sociopolitical context.
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is a methodology focused on understanding the meanings behind language use in descriptions and explanations It encompasses a variety of terms that reflect the diverse influences shaping its development CDA views language as a social practice, aiming to explore both clear and hidden structural relationships within language The framework of CDA is built on three foundational pillars: power, history, and ideology, drawing from classical rhetoric, text linguistics, sociolinguistics, applied linguistics, and pragmatics.
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is a vital form of social critique that highlights how certain social dynamics can harm individuals while also suggesting ways to effect change It elucidates the connections between discourse and various social elements such as power, ideologies, and institutions, offering a critique that serves as a gateway to a broader examination of social reality The primary aim of CDA is not merely to criticize but to foster positive change While academic critique alone cannot transform reality, it plays a crucial role in promoting political action by enhancing our understanding of existing issues and potential solutions Ultimately, CDA aims to provide clearer insights into the interplay between discourse and other facets of social life, paving the way for a more informed approach to social change.
CDA lacks comprehensive analyses of capitalism, neoliberalism, and politics, instead opting to collaborate with various disciplines and theories, including media studies, organization studies, cultural political economy (Jessop, 2004; Fairclough, 2010: 453-526), and critical realism (Fairclough, Jessop & Sayer).
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) originates from textual and linguistic analysis, with Halliday's (1985) Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG) being a prominent framework among CDA researchers However, SFG is not the sole linguistic theory employed in CDA; various linguistic analysis strategies are also utilized by practitioners in the field.
Fairclough's (1989) first version of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) adopts a radical perspective, focusing on the influence of power within discourse It highlights how individuals in authority shape the "order of discourse" and social structures, controlling interactions like interviews This approach prioritizes ideology over mere persuasion and manipulation, viewing discourse as a battleground for social conflict, including class struggles Ultimately, its aim is to illuminate how language perpetuates dominance, fostering awareness that can lead to social emancipation.
CDA is characterized by its capacity to address social issues, the discursive dynamics of energy relations, and the interplay between discourse, society, and culture It emphasizes the historical context of discourse and its function as a form of social action, all of which are integral to our everyday experiences (O'Halloran, 2003).
O'Halloran (2003) asserts that the occult is intricately woven into Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and presents several key concepts for occult analysis These include "transformation," which involves processing the grammatical meaning of phrases within a clause; "perfect passivity," which influences the perceived distance between the creator and the reader; and "perfect normalization," referring to the process of converting a verb into a noun.
Discourse, power and ideology
Discourse is a form of verbal communication where participants articulate and justify their actions, opinions, and statements Prominent sociological theorists, such as Jürgen Habermas, W Goldner, and Edmund Husserl, explore this concept Michel Foucault views historical analysis as a reinterpretation of history, termed "archaeology," emphasizing that discourse is characterized by its practical solidity and materiality Additionally, van Dijk's complementary analysis focuses on pragmatics, examining how social consciousness is formed, the methods used to uphold specific ideologies, and the organization of texts and human perception.
Wodak and Meyer (2009) identify three key trends in the study of discourse: the German and Central European tradition, which focuses on text linguistics; the Anglo-American tradition, which encompasses both written and oral texts; and the Foucauldian tradition, which views discourse as an abstract form of knowledge that integrates cognition and emotions (Jọger and Maier, 2009).
Gee's (1999) concepts of small discourse and big discourse highlight the distinction between spoken and written language and the broader knowledge and social practices that shape our understanding of the world Cameron (2001) parallels this by differentiating between linguists' discourse, which focuses on language use, and social theorists' discourse, which emphasizes the practices that create meaning Van Dijk (1997) further elaborates on discourse by defining it across linguistic, cognitive, and socio-cultural dimensions, stressing its role as a social action influenced by context Widdowson (2004) asserts that texts, whether written or spoken, should be analyzed both linguistically and in terms of their intended meaning, defining discourse as text in context and a process of meaning negotiation He notes that text cohesion relies on discourse coherence, while contextual coherence is contingent upon text cohesion.
Critical discourse (CD) is defined as language use in both speech and writing, as well as a process of meaning-making within social contexts Fairclough emphasizes semiosis, which encompasses not only linguistic communication but also visual communication, allowing for a broader understanding of discourse Semiosis reflects the perspectives of various social actors and is integral to representing the world, identity construction, and social interaction Discourses can be appropriated and enacted through various means, while texts serve as the semiotic representation of events, revealing traces of diverse discourses and ideologies.
Philosopher Michel Foucault (2002) defines discourses as practices that systematically shape the objects they discuss Fairclough and Wodak (1997) emphasize that discourses are realized not only through language but also through visual semiosis Texts serve as the primary evidence of discourses, which represent a concrete manifestation of abstract knowledge and are influenced by sociolinguistic factors Individuals internalize these discourses, which are central to a community of practice, as they navigate their identities within society Such discourses dictate what can be discussed, how it is articulated, and by whom, ultimately forming both individual and collective consciousness This consciousness, in turn, influences actions, as discourse reinforces knowledge through the repetition of ideas, reflecting, shaping, and enabling social reality.
Discourse is shaped by the activities of participants and the power dynamics at play, encompassing various forms such as feminist, nationalist, and medical discourse According to Foucault, and further elaborated by van Leeuwen (2009), discourse also includes social cognitions that reflect specific historical and social contexts, representing and transforming social practices within texts This concept is notably emphasized by van Dijk.
Michel Foucault (1979) redefined power through two key principles: the decentralization of power positions and the interplay of disciplinary power and knowledge He challenged the notion of a structured and rational agency, advocating for a broader intellectual discourse on power across various fields This led him to explore power dynamics in areas such as medicine, psychiatry, penology, and human sexuality Today, Foucault's theories are extensively applied in literary, art, and film criticism, as well as in semiotics, feminist analysis, social history, and planning theories.
Foucault challenges the Marxist view of power as concentrated in the ruling class and rooted in economic class struggle, proposing instead that power resides within individuals rather than state structures He critiques the Marxist concept of ideology, arguing that it is always in opposition to an assumed truth and is secondary to the material economic determinants that underpin it Foucault is concerned that analyses focusing on ideology rely on a human subject model derived from classical philosophy, which he finds limiting.
Foucault, from a structuralist perspective, highlights the significance of examining local discourses to understand their power dynamics, asserting that meaning is derived solely from discourse He argues that knowledge not only empowers individuals over others but also shapes their identities In this context, knowledge shifts from a tool of liberation to one of surveillance, regulation, and discipline Modern power functions by fostering new capacities and activities, rather than merely restricting existing ones, leading to the creation of new objects of knowledge.
Ideologies are primarily belief systems that do not encompass the practices or structures, such as churches or political parties, that they are based on A theory of ideology must include a cognitive component to effectively address concepts like belief and belief systems, as explored in contemporary cognitive science Furthermore, ideologies are not private or personal, similar to languages; they are socially shared among members of a collective However, not all groups require or develop an ideology, as this is typically relevant only for certain types of collectives, particularly in relation to other groups, rather than for communities like cultural, national, or linguistic ones.
Ideologies serve as social representations that shape a group's identity by encapsulating their shared beliefs about existence and reproduction They vary based on the groups they represent, including social movements, political parties, professions, and churches Ideologies are foundational, often more fundamental than other socially shared beliefs like sociocultural knowledge or attitudes, as they organize and control these beliefs For instance, a racist ideology can influence attitudes toward immigration, while a feminist ideology may affect views on abortion and workplace inequality Additionally, social ideologies can advocate for a more significant role of the State in public affairs.
Ideologies serve as foundational social beliefs that provide coherence to a group's values and facilitate their application in daily life They define relevant cultural values such as freedom, equality, and justice for the group Acquired and sometimes altered over time, ideologies are relatively stable and do not change rapidly; for instance, one does not become a pacifist or feminist overnight The process of acquiring or changing ideologies typically requires numerous experiences and discourses Variability in ideological opinions among group members should be understood at the personal or contextual level, rather than as a reason to dismiss the existence of a shared, stable group ideology.
Ideologies are reflected in discourse and aim to effect social change by imposing assumptions on both the interpreter and the text producer, often without their awareness (Fairclough, 1992a) These abstract ideas, rooted in social knowledge, shape how texts are constructed and understood Drawing from Marx's concept of false consciousness, ideology highlights how capitalist processes mislead the proletariat about their reality The powerful group covertly imposes ideology, which can be critiqued to reveal the values and practices used to maintain control When ideologies are subtly embedded in discourse, they become invisible, influencing how individuals interpret and 'textualize' the world around them.
2.2.4 The relation of discourse, power and ideology
Linguistic forms inherently carry ideologies and beliefs that influence how individuals interact with language These ideologies are closely tied to power dynamics, serving as legitimate tools for shaping social relations and reinforcing power disparities The role of ideology in everyday communication and social interactions highlights the implicit acknowledgment of power inequalities Furthermore, language use, being a fundamental aspect of social activity, is deeply intertwined with ideological expressions.
In his 2006 paper "Ideology and Discourse," Van Dijk explored the concept of ideology through a discourse analytical lens, concluding that ideology serves as the foundation for group attitudes and beliefs He emphasized that ideologies shape biased personal mental models that influence the production of ideological discourse Furthermore, Van Dijk noted that ideologies are not only reproduced and acquired through discourse but can also be expressed through various social practices.
Main approaches to CDA
2.3.1 Michael Halliday's systemic functional grammar
Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), popularized by M.A.K Halliday in the 1960s in the UK and later in Australia, is rooted in the theories of influential linguists like Bronislaw Malinowski and J.R Firth Malinowski, a Polish anthropologist, emphasized the significance of situational context in language, while Firth further developed this idea, establishing linguistics as a discipline in the UK He introduced a phonological approach called prosodic phonology, which allows phonological features to be shared across successive phonemes, rather than assigning unique features to each phoneme.
Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) is a prominent linguistic theory that has garnered significant interest from researchers It primarily focuses on understanding the structural mechanisms involved in communication, emphasizing the importance of language knowledge beyond mere words and sentences SFL analyzes how language shapes perceptions, distributes power, and reflects socio-cultural contexts, ultimately revealing diverse ways of understanding the world (Brown & Yule, 1983; Nunan, 1993; Paltridge, 2006) Since the 1970s, the emergence of critical discourse analysis (CDA) has been influenced by M.A.K Halliday's Critical Linguistics and Systemic-Functional Grammar, aiming to explore social issues within discourse and the interplay of thoughts, attitudes, ideologies, and expressions Influential linguists such as Kress & Hodge (1979), Fowler et al (1979), van Dijk (1995), Fairclough (1989), and Wodak (1989) have contributed to this field, viewing discourse as both a social practice and a reflection of that practice SFL employs Systemic Functional Grammar to analyze linguistic structures based on three meta-functions: conceptual, interpersonal, and textual.
The Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) approach is widely utilized globally, especially in language education and discourse analysis While many linguistic theories focus on language as a mental process, SFL is closely linked to sociology, emphasizing how language functions in social contexts to achieve specific goals (ODonnell, 2012: 2) Rather than exploring how language is represented in the brain, SFL examines discourses in written and oral forms, focusing on their content This approach prioritizes the function of language—what it is used for—over its structural composition (Matthiessen & Halliday, 1997).
M.A.K Halliday's Systemic Functional Grammar is widely regarded as the primary foundation of Critical Discourse Analysis and other pragmatic theories They are two inseparable components of a linguistic theory framework "Systemic grammar seeks to explain language's internal relations as a system network or meaning potential." And this network is made up of subsystems from which language users can choose Functional grammar seeks to demonstrate that language is a means of social interaction, based on the belief that "the language system and the forms that comprise it are inextricably linked to the uses or functions that they serve" (Hu Zhuanglin, 1988: 307) The procedure of stylistic analysis, according to Halliday, can be divided into three logically ordered phrases: analysis, interpretation, and evaluation The infinite number of practical functions can be generalized into a set of highly coded and abstract functions: meta-functions—that are inherent in all languages His concept of meta-function includes the ideational, interpersonal, and textual functions
The first function Halliday points out is the ideational function What is an ideational function?
The speaker or writer uses language to express their experiences of both the external world and their internal thoughts and feelings, including reactions and perceptions (Halliday, 1971: 332) This function serves to convey new information that is unfamiliar to the listener, capturing both objective events and subjective experiences.
In the sentence "Kitty flies a kite," we can identify the Actor as Kitty, the Process as flying, and the Goal as the kite This analysis highlights how the Actor, Process, and Goal, along with their subcategories, enhance our comprehension of the phenomena we encounter in our experiences.
The transitivity system in grammar serves a crucial role in representing the ideational function, with the clause as its fundamental unit This system articulates various actions, feelings, and states (Cheng Yumin, 2007) It encompasses six distinct processes: material, mental, relational, behavioral, verbal, and existential.
Material processes involve actions performed by an Actor, represented by an action verb, and a Goal, which is the direct object of the action For example, in the sentence "The house fell down," the verb "fell" indicates the action, while "the house" serves as the Actor.
Mental processes express such mental phenomena as ―perception (see, look),
―reaction (like, please) and ―cognition (know, believe, convince) A mental process involves two participants, Sensor and Phenomenon E.g Tom likes chocolate (Hu Zhuanglin, 1988)
Relational processes are categorized into two main types: Attributive and Identifying Attributive processes describe the attributes or classifications of an object, such as in the sentence "The temperature is high." In contrast, Identifying processes convey the identical characteristics of two entities, exemplified by statements like "Lily is a girl" and "The girl is Lily" (Hu Zhuanglin, 1988).
Verbal processes involve the exchange of information, utilizing verbs such as say, tell, talk, praise, boast, and describe The key participants in these processes include the Sayer, the Receiver, and the Verbiage For example, in the sentence "He told me what to do," the interaction between these elements is clearly illustrated.
Behavioral processes encompass both physiological and psychological actions, including breathing, coughing, smiling, laughing, crying, staring, and dreaming Typically, these processes involve a single participant, often a human, and closely resemble mental processes However, distinguishing between behavioral and material processes can be challenging, depending on whether the activity is physiological or psychological When a behavioral process involves two participants, it can be classified as a material process.
For example, His father beat the disobedient boy (Hu Zhuanglin, 1988)
Existential processes represent that something exists or happens In every existential process, there is an Existent
For example: There were some potatoes in the cupboard
Language serves a crucial interpersonal function, allowing speakers to express their comments, attitudes, and evaluations while establishing relationships with listeners Halliday emphasizes that speakers intrude into speech events by adopting various communication roles such as informing, questioning, greeting, and persuading According to Hu Zhuanglin, this interpersonal function encompasses all language uses that express social and personal relations The speaker's choice of modality and mood plays a significant role in this function, as mood reflects the speaker's role in the situation and the role assigned to the addressee For example, using the imperative mood positions the speaker as commanding, expecting the addressee to comply, as illustrated by the request, "pass me the book."
Modality encompasses the spectrum between positive and negative extremes, serving as a crucial system for social communication It allows speakers to objectively convey their opinions while also reflecting social roles, formality, and power dynamics In English, modality is expressed through various linguistic elements, including modal verbs, adverbs, adjectives, personal pronouns, notional verbs, tense, and both direct and indirect speech Successful communication relies on understanding key categories of modality, such as epistemic and deontic modality, which relate to the speaker's feelings about a situation According to Portner (2008), modality is a linguistic phenomenon that provides insights into grammar, while Griffths (2006) emphasizes its role in indicating obligations, permissions, and the speaker's confidence in their knowledge Palmer (1986) further categorizes modality into epistemic and deontic types Effective communication is characterized by the ability to identify modality in utterances, ensuring clarity and logical coherence.
The textual function is the third role of language, enabling connections between language and context According to Halliday (1971), discourse is made possible when speakers or writers create texts that listeners or readers can recognize This function allows language to transform spoken or written discourse into coherent and unified texts, distinguishing meaningful passages from mere lists of sentences While two sentences may share the same ideational and interpersonal functions, their coherence can vary (Hu Zhuanglin, 1988).
The textual function ensures that language is operationally relevant, creating a rich texture that differentiates a dynamic passage from a simple entry in a grammar book or dictionary It allows for the integration of various strands of meaning into the overall linguistic structure.
A discourse can clearly express information It can also be found between the lines
As a result, all discourses are composed of explicit and implicit messages (Halliday,
Emma Watson and her speech
Emma Watson is an actress, model and activist Her breakthrough: Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter franchise They released the first Harry Potter movie in
In 2014, Emma Watson launched the HeForShe movement, advocating for gender equality and supporting initiatives like Lumos, a charity founded by J.K Rowling She has actively promoted girls' education through visits to Bangladesh and Zambia and was recognized as one of TIME's 100 most influential people at the age of twenty-five In January 2016, she initiated a feminist Goodreads book club, Our Shared Shelf, to foster discussions on feminist ideas Emma aims to challenge hegemonic masculinity and promote assertive female identities, believing that both men and women face gender inequality She encourages individuals to embrace their true selves and break free from societal constraints, asserting that changing the perception of masculinity will ultimately empower women.
Emma Watson exemplifies a strong and influential woman whose power is rooted in consent rather than coercion Her followers are drawn to her because they believe in her vision and her capacity to effect positive change in the world As a charismatic leader, she inspires trust and loyalty, encouraging people to support her initiatives.
In 2014, she became the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, giving her legal authority too.
A review of related studies
Numerous authors have employed the Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) theoretical framework to examine the speeches of prominent figures Recent research focuses on analyzing "Gender Equality" speeches through CDA in both journal articles and studies Various investigations have utilized this framework to conduct in-depth analyses in their respective studies.
Lazar (2010), an Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore, published a study titled "Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis: Articulating a Feminist Discourse Praxis," which emphasizes the importance of a feminist perspective in Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) through qualitative methods The study is grounded in gender ideology theory and power asymmetries, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of feminist CDA It contributes to critical language and discourse studies while also serving as a tool for exploring feminist issues within gender and women's studies Similarly, Fangyuan Wang, Yu Sun, and Tong Zhang (2019) examined feminist stylistics in relation to gender equality by analyzing Emma Watson's speeches Their findings reveal that Watson's language portrays women as more active and dominant than men, underscoring her emphasis on female voices and confidence Additionally, the discourse in Watson's speeches is cohesive, reflecting a strong commitment to gender equality and respect for women.
In her 2019 research, Le Thi Yen conducted a critical discourse analysis of Donald Trump's 2015 presidential campaign announcement speech, utilizing Halliday's Systemic Functional Linguistics to explore ideational, interpersonal, and textual functions Employing a qualitative method, her study aimed to uncover how language reflects ideology and power, enhancing the understanding of the speech's political intent The findings revealed that linguistic representation highlighted power imbalances, portraying Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Islamic terrorists as active agents, while the USA was depicted as lacking capability Additionally, the research indicated that Trump emphasized his position by placing himself at the forefront of sentences.
The three studies discussed provide valuable insights into Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and its application in speech analysis The first study reinforces the argument regarding feminists through gender ideology theory and power asymmetries, while the second explores Feminist Stylistics to identify characteristics of female language in Watson's speech The final study applies Halliday's Systemic Functional Linguistics to reveal the speaker's ideologies Although these studies utilize qualitative methods to analyze speech and illustrate the speaker's ideology and power, they may lack accuracy and objectivity due to their subjective nature To enhance the reliability and persuasiveness of the research findings, this study employs a combination of both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research questions
To fulfill the aim and objectives of the study mentioned in Introduction part, The present study attempts to address the following research question:
1 How is language utilized to describe the ideology and power relationship in Emma Watson’s speech in the ―HeForShe Campaign at the United Nations, 2014?
2 How does Emma Wation’s speech affect men and women’s beliefs and ideologies?
Research approach
This study focuses on Emma Watson's 2014 speech during the UN Women "HeForShe" campaign, selecting key clauses and sentences for analysis By employing transitivity analysis theory, the research examines a subset of relevant statements that reflect Watson's ideology of gender equality and her aspirations for the future The analysis emphasizes the importance of these selected excerpts in understanding the overarching themes of the speech For further details, please refer to the APPENDIX.
The study conducted a thorough analysis of data collected from Watson's speech using Halliday's Transitivity Analysis Theory Selected clauses were organized in a transitivity analysis table to identify the types of processes and their frequency within the speech This analysis reveals Watson's perspective on gender equality, allowing for a deeper interpretation of her feelings and experiences regarding the issue through the language she employed in her delivery.
The author employs the Modality System as a framework for interpersonal meaning to articulate various types of claims, including assertions, opinions, hypotheses, and speculations, reflecting the speaker's assessment and attitude.
The research utilized Fairclough's four-step methodology to analyze data from Watson's speech on gender equality Initially, the focus was on identifying any social wrongs highlighted by Watson The second step involved recognizing barriers to addressing these social issues The author then examined the semiotic and social elements of the speech In the third stage, the necessity of the social wrong in society was assessed, along with its implications Finally, the research explored potential solutions to overcome these obstacles by analyzing Watson's ideas presented in her speech.
Research procedure
This study employs Fairclough's theoretical framework of critical discourse analysis, which consists of three analytical stages: description, interpretation, and explanation The description stage scrutinizes linguistic elements, while the interpretation stage delves into the speech text and its meanings Finally, the explanation stage connects the speech text to its broader social context The following outlines the procedures for each of these stages.
This research focuses on the formal properties of text, specifically the grammatical features of experiential values known as transitivity The analysis of transitivity involves examining three key components, as outlined by Fairclough (1989: 120), with particular attention to the predominant types of processes present in the text.
The selected data, consisting of clauses, was analyzed to identify the type of transitivity process by examining the verb phrases Relevant data will be gathered and categorized based on the transitivity process type The findings will be displayed in a table format, including the clause or sentence, the corresponding transitivity process type, and the verb that signifies this process Additionally, the analysis will explore the predominant types of participants involved.
After analyzing and categorizing the data based on its transitivity process, the subsequent step involves identifying the type of each participant by examining the noun phrases present in each clause Additionally, it is essential to consider the various types of circumstantial elements involved.
The final step involves identifying the circumstances associated with a clause, as not all clauses are linked to specific circumstances This is achieved by analyzing the use of adverbial and prepositional phrases within the clause.
The next phase in Fairclough's critical discourse analysis framework is interpretation, where the transitivity processes identified in the initial stage are examined This stage focuses on the content of the text, the perspectives of the interpreter, and the resources available to the members involved (Fairclough, 1989: 162).
A specific perspective is essential during the explanation stages, emphasizing the connection between interaction and social context This viewpoint highlights the social factors that influence production and interpretation processes, ultimately shaping various social effects (Fairclough, 1989: 26).
Framework of data analysis
The study employed Fairclough's Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as its theoretical framework, drawing on his works from 1989, 1995, and 2010 Additionally, Halliday’s framework, developed in 1985, 1994, and 2004, served as an adjunct theory, offering essential linguistic tools for micro-linguistic analysis, particularly focusing on transitivity patterns.
The study focused on modality to explore how experiential and interpersonal meanings of recurring themes are expressed through discourse, aligning with the research objectives.
This study employed a qualitative approach grounded in Fairclough's three-tier model, which encompasses description, interpretation, and explanation It conducted both micro- and macro-discourse analysis, highlighting its descriptive nature At the micro-level, the analysis focused on the linguistic choices within selected excerpts, requiring interpretation of these choices Meanwhile, the macro-level analysis explained how transitivity systems and modality choices in the text conveyed experiential and interpersonal meanings.
Halliday's Model of experience and process types (Source: Halliday 1994: 108)
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
Transitivity analysis
This section delves into the analysis of process types and participant roles within the selected data, grounded in the principles of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) and the theoretical framework of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) This examination is crucial for addressing the first research question: How does language function to convey ideology and power dynamics in Emma Watson's speech during the HeForShe Campaign at the United Nations in 2014?
A total of 132 processes are found in this speech in which five process types have occurred
Table 4.1: Frequency of process types in the selected text
Process Frequency of process types Percentage (%)
Table 1 reveals that the material process is the most utilized process type, with a total of 58 occurrences, followed by relational, mental, verbal, and existential processes The prominence of relational and mental processes suggests that the speaker aimed to express her ideas and elaborate on her views regarding the topic Throughout her speech, she frequently employed material processes to articulate her thoughts, often opting for connotative diction Notably, many material processes were used to describe ideas or situations, with a preference for range over goal This choice contributes to the speech's engaging nature, making it enjoyable to listen to or read due to the use of beautiful and meaningful language.
A material process consists of physical actions performed by an entity on another entity (Eggins, 2004: 215) It involves two key participants: the Actor, who initiates the action, and the Goal, which is the recipient of that action.
Today we are launching a campaign called HeForShe
Circ: Time Actor Material Process Goal
That they achieved gender equality
I am reaching out to you
15 my girlfriends started dropping out of their sports teams
My school did not limit Me
We are struggling for a uniting word
I am inviting you to step forward
Actor Material Process Goal Circumstance
Emma Watson's HeForShe campaign speech predominantly employs transitive verbs in the S V O structure, with some instances of the S V A pattern Each clause in the material processes features at least one participant, highlighting actions aimed at achieving results, such as "launch," "reach out," "achieve," "limit," "make," "change," "struggle," and "invite." The speaker frequently uses the pronouns "I" and "we," representing herself, UN Women, and the audience as active participants The Goals of these actions are often articulated through references to outcomes like the "HeForShe" campaign, gender equality, and equal rights and opportunities.
The speech outlines several goals that represent entities impacted by the actions of the Actor (S), including men, women, and the audience Additionally, material process clauses are connected through circumstantial elements, which encompass temporal, causal, and locative adjuncts These elements enrich the context by offering detailed insights into the actions of the participants, specifying when, why, and where these actions take place.
The mental process is intricately connected to an individual's inner experiences, as people share their thoughts and feelings through their actions and expressions (Eggins, 2004: 225) This process involves two key participants: the Senser, who must be a conscious human, and the Phenomenon, which represents what is thought, felt, or perceived (Halliday, 1994: 117; Eggins, 2004: 227) Additionally, mental processes can be conveyed through four types of verbs: cognition, affection, inclination, and perception.
I have realized that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man hating
My parents did not love me Less
Senser Mental Process: Affection Phenomenon Circcumstance: Manner
We want to end gender inequality
Senser Mental Process: Inclination Material Process Goal
We Want to try and galvanize
Senser Mental Process: Desiderative Material process
I have seen men made fragile and insecure by a distorted sense of what constitutes male success
We Wanted to direct the plays
Senser Mental Process: Desiderative Material Process Goal
If You still hate the word
Senser Mental Process: Affective Phenomenon
Clause 17 things she wanted to change
Goals Senser Mental Process: Desiderative Material process
I want Men to take up this mantle
I want to make it better
Emma Watson's HeForShe campaign speech prominently features the mental process of inclination, primarily conveyed through projection Halliday defines projection as the relationship between clauses, illustrating how one clause quotes or reports ideas from another (Eggins, 2004: 230) In this context, Clause 12 exemplifies this by containing both a projecting clause, representing the mental process, and a projected clause, which encompasses material and verbal processes.
Emma Watson, in collaboration with UN Women, leads a solidarity campaign emphasizing the importance of gender equality Through her speech, she articulates her ambitions using inclination verbs like "choose" and "expect," alongside the verb "want." This mental process aims to persuade the audience to engage in discussions and actions towards achieving gender equality Watson's message highlights the necessity of taking concrete steps, as expressed through material processes, to address this critical issue.
A verbal process, as defined by Eggins (2004), involves three key participants: the Sayer, the Receiver, and the Verbiage The Sayer represents any entity capable of emitting a signal, while the Receiver is the target of this communication Verbiage refers to the content delivered, typically in noun form Additionally, in mental processes, circumstances can manifest as verbiage, specifically relating to the circumstantial matter (Eggins, 2004).
Sayer Verbal Process Circumstance: Matter
We don’t often talk about men
Sayer Verbal Process Circumstance: Matter
In clause 20, the subject "I" is identified as the Sayer, while the verb "have spoken" denotes the verbal process Verbal processes often include circumstantial elements, with the circumstance of matter being the most prevalent, indicating the topic of discussion among participants The present perfect tense of this clause signifies actions that occurred up until the Sensor's speech at the event Emma Watson aims to illustrate that she has consistently addressed feminism, providing information and messages related to the topic This approach underscores the ongoing significance of feminism in her discourse.
Existential processes convey experience by positing the existence of something (Eggins, 2004: 238) According to Eggins, the term "there" serves to identify this process, while the verb "be" indicates its nature The essential participant in this process is the Existent, which functions to affirm the assumption of something's existence or reality.
Clause 22 if there is one thing
In her HeForShe campaign speech, Emma Watson presents a singular data point related to existential processes However, this aspect of her speech lacks substantial meaning that could resonate with the audience, merely serving to affirm the existence of a concept without offering deeper insights.
In Emma Watson's HeForShe campaign speech, the predominant transitivity process utilized is the relational process, as outlined by Halliday's theory This process serves as a means of self-expression and can be articulated through either an attributive or identifying approach (Eggins, 2004: 239).
Carrier Relational Process: Intensive Attributive Attribute
That Fighting for women’s rights has (too often) become
Descriptive Intensive Attributive (Circ: Frequency)
Feminism by definition Is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities
Men do not have the benefits of equality,
The analysis highlights four types of relational processes in Emma Watson's HeForShe campaign speech The initial three intensive densifying clauses utilize linking verbs to connect different beings, each serving a unique purpose Notably, the speaker uses intensive attributive clauses to assert her identity as a feminist, as demonstrated by the participants linked through the verb "to be."
The article explores the connection between the Carrier and the Attribute, focusing on the concept of class membership It highlights the use of descriptive intensive attributives to characterize feminism, emphasizing the role of adjectives in this analysis.
Modality
The study identified a total of thirty instances of modality, comprising ten examples of epistemic modality and twenty examples of deontic modality Table 2 illustrates the various types of modality present in the data.
Table 4.2: Types of Modality in Emma Watson speech
No Types of Modality Elements Frequency
Epistemic modality relates to the speaker's assessment of their confidence or belief in the knowledge underlying a statement It encompasses a spectrum of commitment, ranging from certainty that a situation is true to certainty that it is false, including a neutral position on its occurrence (Nudist 2001: 212) According to Palmer (1986), epistemic modality can be categorized into two types: Judgments and Modifications.
In language, epistemic judgments can be categorized into strong and weak types, which are closely associated with modal verbs such as "may" and "must." Understanding these distinctions is essential for grasping the nuances of meaning in communication.
“They may not know it, but they are inadvertent feminists that changing the world today.”
A modal verb may not always indicate epistemic modality, as it often conveys the speaker's knowledge to the audience The verb "may" can be classified as a judgment, where negative judgments represent positive propositions, and negation reflects positive judgments For instance, the statement “It is certain that they do not know it, but they are inadvertent feminists changing the world today” suggests that, despite their parents and mentors being unaware of gender equality, they are unintentionally contributing to feminist movements This statement carries a negative meaning but holds a high probability of being true, as such changes are indeed possible.
The modal verb "will" represents a type of judgment in English, distinguishing it from the two other forms of epistemic modality It serves as a reasonable judgment, positioned between the weaker "may," which indicates possible judgments, and the stronger "must," which signifies certainty.
“Feminism will make possible for first time for men to be free”
The modal verb "will" in the sentence reflects the speaker's belief and knowledge about feminism, categorizing it as a judgment The speaker asserts that feminism positively impacts men by allowing them to work less and maintain better health The statement "Feminism is probable to make possible for the first time for men to be free" indicates that Watson believes feminism offers more advantages for men's freedom than for women's, as women contribute to men's ability to work.
Modification is one of the types of epistemic modality According to Palmer
In 1986, English introduced modifications to express three types of judgments: may (can), must, and will These modifications include what can be termed as tentative forms, such as might and would, which are formally recognized as past tense forms (Palmer, 1979b: 48-50).
“But why should we support gender equality?”
In this context, the modal verb "should" exemplifies epistemic modality, as the speaker poses a strong question to the audience The speaker then affirms the question by stating, "Of course, it’s fair, it’s right, and it’s just." Notably, "should" shares a similar meaning with the modal verb "must."
The question, “But why are we supposed to support gender equality?” emphasizes the importance of this issue, prompting audiences to reflect on its significance in daily life The use of the modal verb "should" conveys a strong judgment, highlighting the necessity of advocating for gender equality This positive obligation suggests that while achieving happiness through gender equality is challenging, it remains a crucial goal that we must strive for.
Deontic modality, as defined by Lyons (1977), pertains to the necessity and possibility of actions taken by morally responsible agents This concept, characterized broadly by Jespersen (1990), emphasizes the role of obligation and permission in actions performed by both the speaker and others, as noted by Palmer (1986) The six key elements of deontic modality include Directives, Modifications, Subjectivity, Imperatives, Commissives, and Volitives.
According to Palmer (1986), the terms "Must" and "May" play a crucial role in deontic modality by conveying permission Consequently, it is more effective to discuss directives when aiming to prompt the hearer to take action.
May and Must as English have a basic degree called “weak and strong” (Palmer, 1986)
In deontic modality May/can is used for giving permission and Must is used for laying an obligation to the hearer
To achieve true freedom, we must shift our focus from defining ourselves by our differences to embracing our identities This is the core message of HeforShe, promoting self-definition and unity.
The modal verb "can" is classified as deontic modality, which pertains to actions involving both the speaker and others This type of modality focuses on concepts of obligation and permission In this context, the use of "can" serves a directive function, akin to "may," as it conveys the notion of granting permission.
The term "proposition" relates to the deontic possibility of the modal verbs "may" and "can," suggesting that the listener must derive their obligation to act from the given circumstances This concept can be understood as a call to redefine ourselves positively, moving away from negative definitions, which aligns with the essence of the HeforShe movement In this context, the modal verbs "may" and "must" convey a sense of positive potential, although they imply a low probability of occurrence, indicating that while these actions are possible, they are not guaranteed.
Palmer's (1986) modifications in deontic modality adjust language with related forms, distinguishing it from epistemic modality, which employs tentative expressions For instance, "must" corresponds to "ought to" or "should," while "may" relates to "might" (or "can" and "could").
“I had to start thinking about them And it had been privilege that had kept it invisible to me for so long.”
Fairclough‘s theoretical framework of CDA
This section employs Fairclough's theoretical framework of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to examine Emma Watson's language use in her speech, specifically addressing the second research question: "How does Emma Watson's speech influence the beliefs and ideologies of men and women?"
Gender inequalities are the social wrong introduced by Emma Watson in her
The "HeForShe" campaign addresses three key areas: the importance of the feminist movement, the misrepresentation of feminist concepts, and the impact of gender inequality on victims and advocates Emma Watson emphasizes the necessity of feminism by highlighting the ongoing global issue of gender inequality and the challenges women face in securing their rights She portrays women as often being viewed as second-class citizens and advocates for a feminist movement to alleviate their suffering.
Emma Watson highlights the significance of feminism through her personal experiences, such as being labeled a "bossy girl" for wanting to direct a play and facing sexual harassment from the media She also notes the impact of societal pressures on women, exemplified by her friends leaving a sports team to avoid being perceived as "muscly." These experiences underscore the prevalence of gender violence, which, as Nasri points out, manifests not only in physical forms but also through psychological trauma Watson advocates for women's rights, emphasizing the necessity for women to be treated equally to men and to have their fundamental human rights respected She calls for a movement to fight for these rights, highlighting the importance of respect and autonomy as essential human rights.
In her advocacy for feminism, Watson highlights the societal misconceptions surrounding the term "feminist," noting that women are often negatively portrayed and regarded as second-class citizens When they advocate for equality, they are frequently mischaracterized as man-hating due to perceived aggressiveness This societal construct positions women as inherently inferior, leading to a widespread misunderstanding of feminism's true goals Watson emphasizes that despite the ongoing struggle for gender equality, many still erroneously believe that feminism is synonymous with anti-male sentiment and hostility towards men.
In her speech, Watson defines feminism as "the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities," emphasizing that the primary goal of feminism is to achieve equality with men She highlights the importance of accurately representing feminism, as misinterpretation can jeopardize this goal By clarifying the definition of feminism, Watson aims to demonstrate that the ideology is not about degrading men but rather benefits both sexes.
The article highlights the mental process of expressing feelings about environmental conditions, emphasizing that both men and women suffer from gender inequality Watson's speech illustrates that women often struggle for authority, equal job opportunities, and respect, while men face challenges like the difficulty of seeking help due to societal expectations The pressure to conform to traditional masculinity leads men to prioritize appearance over emotions, often resulting in bullying and sacrifice in their pursuit of a macho image, perpetuated by the enduring patriarchal system in various regions.
4.3.2 Challenges in addressing gender inequalities
The feminist movement plays a crucial role in the pursuit of gender equality, as highlighted by Watson's speech, which underscores the importance of feminism Despite this, many still adhere to patriarchal beliefs that men are superior to women The speech identifies significant obstacles to achieving gender equality, primarily rooted in misconceptions about feminism Many people mistakenly associate feminism with man-hating or aggression, leading both men and women to fear being labeled as feminists This stigma discourages women from advocating for their rights, resulting in a tendency to accept their circumstances rather than strive for equality.
Emma Watson addresses the misconceptions surrounding feminism, initially presenting it as a misunderstood concept often associated with man-hating Many view feminism as radical or anti-male, which discourages individuals from identifying as feminists In her speech, Watson seeks to challenge these negative perceptions by defining feminism as the belief in equal rights and opportunities for both men and women, emphasizing its true representation of gender equality Ultimately, she advocates for a broader acceptance of feminism, encouraging others to embrace its principles.
Watson's speech highlights the patriarchal ideology prevalent in society, reflecting a male perspective that undermines the feminist movement's quest for equality She illustrates how deeply ingrained beliefs about Masculine Hegemony pose significant challenges to achieving gender equality.
(a) I (Senser) have seen (Mental Process: Perception) young men suffering from mental illness (Phenomenon),
(b) for fear (Circ: Cause) it (Actor) would make (Material Process) them (Goal) less “macho”
Men often experience fear and pain when seeking help, particularly from women, due to the belief that asking for assistance equates to weakness This perception stems from patriarchal stereotypes that associate vulnerability with femininity Emma Watson highlights this issue, suggesting that these stereotypes contribute to men's emotional strain and hinder their pursuit of equality with women Consequently, such gender norms not only affect men but also serve as significant barriers for women in patriarchal societies, limiting their rights, opportunities, and respect.
4.3.3 Changing beliefs of men and women about gender equality
Both men and women are united in the pursuit of ending gender inequality, with efforts aimed at achieving equality for all members of society Historically, the fight for equality was predominantly a female endeavor, as highlighted in Peter Barry's discussion of the third wave of feminism, where men often resisted equal treatment Furthermore, men lacked a distinct language to express their views, as the prevailing discourse was deemed masculine However, the landscape has shifted, with many contemporary movements for gender equality now being spearheaded by men According to the UN, numerous men are actively engaging in discussions surrounding gender equality and feminism.
4.3.4 The impact of Watson’s speech on the ideology of men and women
Emma Watson, a renowned young actress, wields significant influence over both younger and older generations regarding gender inequality and women's rights Chosen by the United Nations as a speaker over traditional experts, her impact surpasses that of many seasoned professionals Known for her role in the iconic Harry Potter series, Watson commands global attention, making her speeches highly impactful Following her address at the UN, discussions erupted on social media, showcasing a mix of support and criticism for her views on feminism Her presence as a UN representative effectively draws attention to gender equality issues Watson emphasizes that feminism is not solely a movement for women but a collective effort for all, promoting unity as a key theme in her advocacy.
The history of feminism highlights women's struggle against oppression and the fight for equal rights, yet many women still hesitate to advocate for themselves due to misconceptions that feminism seeks to elevate women above men Watson's campaign encourages women to engage in the feminist movement with a clear objective: achieving gender equality rather than diminishing men's status This clarification emphasizes that feminism is not about superiority but about ensuring equal treatment for all, aiming to dispel the stigma surrounding the movement and inspire global participation.
Emma Watson emphasizes the importance of achieving gender equality by redefining feminism and encouraging women to advocate for their rights She highlights the impact of gender stereotypes on both men and women, providing examples of male oppression stemming from these societal norms Watson asserts that gender equality is not solely a women's issue, urging men to join the fight against all forms of oppression She calls for collaboration between men and women to attain true freedom, emphasizing that men can seek support without fear of judgment Through these efforts, Watson believes that the ultimate goal of feminism—gender equality—can be realized, leading to a society where distinctions between men and women are eliminated, paving the way for true freedom for all.