Literary Druid
A Peer-Reviewed International Journal of English Language and Literature
Volume- 7, Issue- 4, October-2025
1. Selectional Restrictions as a Semantic Problem for a Second Language Learner in the Generation of Igbo Sentences
Blessing Ugochi Uwasomba, Ph.D, Department of English and Communication Studies / Linguistics, Faculty of Humanities, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Abstract
This paper examines selectional restrictions as a major semantic challenge faced by second language learners in generating grammatically and meaningfully acceptable Igbo sentences. Selectional restrictions refer to the semantic constraints that govern which lexical items can co-occur within a syntactic structure. While learners of Igbo as a second language may master the grammatical rules, they often violate semantic compatibility between verbs and their complements, resulting in semantically odd expressions. The study adopts a descriptive approach to analyse examples of selectional restriction violations in the Igbo language. Findings reveal that second language learners’ errors stem from inadequate semantic awareness, first language interference, and insufficient exposure to native Igbo usage. The study recommends pedagogical emphasis on meaning relations and contextual learning to enhance semantic competence in the second language acquisition of Igbo.
Keywords: Selectional Restrictions, Semantics, Second Language Learning, Sentence Generation, Meaning Compatibility.
2. A Theoretical Analysis of Speech Acts in Political Speeches; A Review of Governor Douye Diri’s Selected Speeches
Promise Uzochi Ejike, Department of English and Communication Studies,
Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Abstract
Speechmaking has become an essential component of political leadership and governance across the world, serving as a tool for persuasion, mobilisation, and political communication. This study critically examines the linguistic and rhetorical features of selected political speeches of Governor DouyeDiri of Bayelsa State, Nigeria, with the aim of uncovering the unique stylistic and discursive strategies embedded in his political discourse. Despite the prominence of political speech analysis in Nigeria, little attention has been given to Governor Diri’s oratorical style, hence the need for this investigation. The study employs textual analysis and critical discourse analysis (CDA) as its methodological frameworks, focusing on the linguistic structures, rhetorical devices, and persuasive techniques used in the governor’s speeches during major political events such as inaugurations, policy declarations, and state addresses. The analysis explores rhetorical tools such as metaphor, metonymy, analogy, repetition, contrastive pairs, and call to action, as well as broader communicative strategies including theatricality, ideology, aggression, and power relations in political communication. Drawing insights from speech act theory, the research further examines how Governor Diri’s use of language functions not merely as a medium of communication but as a performative act that shapes perception, evokes emotion, and constructs social meaning. Findings reveal that Governor Diri’s speeches are characterised by a strong use of metaphorical and rhetorical expressions that enhance persuasion, emotional appeal, and audience connection. His speeches also reflect an ideological alignment with themes of unity, progress, and social transformation, while strategically employing linguistic choices to strengthen credibility and public trust. The study underscores the interplay of power, ideology, and persuasion in political communication, illustrating how language serves as a tool for leadership legitimacy and political influence.
Keywords: Political Speech, Speech Act, Theoretical Analysis, Speech Act Theory.
3. Administration of Human Values through Teaching Literature in English with Reference to Bharathi Mukherjee’s Jasmine
Dr. G. Hemalatha, Assistant Professor, Department of English & Foreign Languages, Madanapalle Institute of Technology & Science, Madanapalle -517325, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Abstract
Bharati Mukherjee is a celebrated author who uses her literary creations to inculcate human values and moral lessons in her society. Her novel “Jasmine” serves as an excellent text to explore universal themes such as identity, alienation, cultural conflict and spirit. Through the protagonist’s journey, the novel depicts the struggles faced by immigrants and women in patriarchal societies, offering readers profound insights into the human condition. This article examines how teaching literature, particularly novels like Jasmine, fosters empathy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills while enhancing communication abilities. The genre of the novel provides a unique platform for reflecting on real-life experiences and societal challenges. In Jasmine, the protagonist’s quest for self-discovery amidst immigration-related adversities highlights the importance of adaptability, determination, and ethical decision-making. The narrative also critiques oppressive systems, emphasising the need for gender equality and cultural understanding. By engaging with Jasmine’s story, readers gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of identity formation and the longing for love, care, and belonging. Furthermore, this article underscores the pedagogical significance of literature in English education. Novels like Jasmine not only expand vocabulary and improve language proficiency but also encourage learners to view the world from diverse perspectives. Through its exploration of universal human values, Jasmine equips readers with the tools to analyse contemporary issues and apply these lessons to their own lives.
Keywords: Bharati Mukherjee, Jasmine, Human Values, English Literature Education.
4. Personal Memory as a Psychological Anchor: Resilience, Familial Bond and Survival in I Survived the Japanese Tsunami 2011
K. Muthulakshmi, Research Scholar, Department of Language, Culture, and Society,
SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur Campus.
Dr. S. Ramya, Associate Professor, Department of Language, Culture, and Society,
SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur Campus.
Abstract
Lauren Tarshis, an American author, is widely known for her I Survived series, which blends historical fact with fictionalised narratives of children’sexperience ofactual disasters. This paper analyses I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011 (2013), the eighth book in the series, through a qualitative textual analysis. It highlights how personal memory actsas a guiding force in moments of crisis, particularly howthe memories of the protagonist's (Ben) father help him to survive the catastrophic Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Additionally, it also focuses on the intertwined themes of survival, resilience, and the importance of family. The findings of the study reveal that personal memory actsas an anchor for psychological stability, which helps Ben to tackle the tsunami and Tohoku earthquake.
Keywords: Memory, Trauma, Resilience, Tsunami, Earthquake, Family.
5. Feminist Rights in Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise,” “Men,” “Phenomenal Woman,” “Woman Work,” and “Equality”
Ms. S. Nivedha, Assistant Professor of English, Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College,
Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract
Literature refers to written works that have artistic or intellectual value, often using language in creative and expressive ways. It can be creative and imaginative writing, which helps readers to engage intellectually and emotionally through the written works. It can be based on someone’s own experience, struggles and hardships faced by the author, it reflects the culture, social, political and economic realities. It can be in any form like novels, dramas, prose, poems, short stories, fables and so on. It provides aesthetic pleasure to the readers. Newspapers, scholarly publications, religious texts, press releases, and spreadsheets are examples of informative works that are typically not regarded as literature. There are two types of literature: fiction and non-fiction. Literature may have both positive and harmful influences on a culture. It is an essential component of the self-realisation of man and a representation of his successes and failures. It describes the character and destination of the human being. Feminism is a political, economic, or cultural movement that aims to obtain equal rights and legal safeguards for women. It involves a variety of political, sociological, and philosophical theories dealing with issues related to gender differences. Maya Angelou explains the definition of equality of rights as the guarantee that all persons are given an equal opportunity to achieve their potential and apply their skills. She states that no one should suffer reduced life chances based on their country of origin, religion, or disability. Equality acknowledges the historical pattern of certain groups defined by race, disability, gender, and sexual orientation facing institutional discrimination. The poems “Still I Rise,” “Men,” “Phenomenal Woman,” “Woman Work,” and “Equality” elicit the state of women and the need for feminist rights in a bold manner. Hence, this article decodes the feminist rights represented in the select poems of Maya Angelou.
Keywords: Maya Angelou, Feminist Rights, Poems, Feminist Criticism.
6. Unraveling the Threads of Grief, Love, and Womanhood: A Feminist Reading of Thorns in My Quilt: Letters from a Daughter to Her Father by Mohua Chinappa (Rupa Publications, 2024)
Reviewed by Namrata, Founder of Keemiya Creatives and Bookbots India,
Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract
This book review examines Mohua Chinappa’s epistolary novel, "Thorns in My Quilt: Letters from a Daughter to Her Father," as a piece of feminist life writing. It argues that Chinappa employs the letter form to criticise patriarchal systems within the South Asian family. Through addressing her late father, Mohua Chinappa (manu) tells the contradictory binds of daughterly love and resentment. The novel reframes non-public reminiscence and domestic detail not as sentimentality, but as political testimony in opposition to the dismissal of women’s lives. Chinappa’s narrative consciously resists cultural pressures to idealise or demonise the patriarchal figure, rather conserving space for unresolved grief and complex emotional truth. By claiming the right to talk without apology, her writing aligns with a lineage of South Asian feminist confession that transforms personal mourning into an act of defiance against patriarchy. The book ultimately asserts the novel capability of documenting women’s subjective life being difficult to the prescribed norms of feminine power and silence.
Keywords: Epistolary Letter, Feminist Writing, Patriarchy, South Asian Women, Memory, Testimony.