Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze mood, epistemic and deontic modality patterns in an extract culled from Yellow-Yellow (2006) by one of the Nigerian new millennium female writer, Kaine Agary. The findings data revealed by the interpersonal meaning analysis are discussed against the backdrop of critical discourse analysis and womanist theory. The discussion contended that, despite the blend of monologic and dialogic organization of the novel, Kaine Agary has tried to portray the sociological schisms making up the daily life of young girls in the oil-resourced region of Nigeria. More importantly, the authoress has shown women’s determination and commitment to support Zilayefa to succeed in achieving good results in education while the major male character goes against this developmental stream flow by impregnating her. The mood and modality choices operated show some kind of power and hierarchy relations and conflicting ideologies between Sisi, Lolo, Zilayefa and Admiral. The discursive interpretation eventually found out that the interpersonal meaning description and critical discussion can properly work together towards achieving consensus. It is agreed that the hidden authorial ideology behind Kaine Agary’s fictional text is geared towards a pro-women social change for a more balanced African society. This is, of course, the gist priorities and great topical issues calling for urgent response at this time.

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