A critical metaphor analysis of heroic myth in the discourse of Kwame Nkrumah

Nartey, Mark

Abstract

This paper examines how Kwame Nkrumah, a pioneering Pan-African leader, utilizes metaphor to simultaneously construct heroes and villains, protagonists and antagonists, forming part of an ideological mechanism that portrays him as a valiant leader and a noble revolutionary. Using critical metaphor analysis as an analytic framework and a number of Nkrumah speeches as the dataset, the paper finds that Nkrumah's use of WAR/CONFLICT and JOURNEY metaphors as well as PERSONIFICATION reflects archetypal traits of mythological heroism, giving an indication of how metaphorical structures enable political leaders to formulate a socially important representation. Specifically, Nkrumah constructs himself as a champion prizefighter on a solemn mission, facing challenges and triumphs along the way, to rescue Africa from tyranny and barbarism and safeguard the continent's welfare in the post-independence period. The implications of the study in terms of the importance of critical interest in metaphor investigation are discussed.

Citation

Nartey, M. (2020). A critical metaphor analysis of heroic myth in the discourse of Kwame Nkrumah. Critical Approaches to Discourse Analysis Across Disciplines, 12(1), 37-53

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 14, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Nov 1, 2020
• Publication Date: Nov 25, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jan 8, 2022
• Journal: Critical Approaches to Discourse Analysis across Disciplines
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 37-53
• Keywords: critical discourse analysis; critical metaphor analysis; discourse-mythological analysis; hero mythology; Kwame Nkrumah; mythic discourse
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/8539156
• Publisher URL: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/fass/journals/cadaad/volume-12-1-2020/