Summer work

Explore the different relationships amongst prison officers and prisoners due to lexical choices

In source B we see 'Sucre' talking to Michael about a problem with the toilet, Michael responds with 'So?' the rhetorical question shows Michaels total disregard to the problem at hand almost to say he is better than that he doesn't need to worry about little things. It also suggests that people of lower intelligence should be working with the toilets as he to good for that. The word 'So' is often used in a tone to make people seem like they don't care. Michaels response gives an impression as to say 'fix it then' this shows his social power among the prisoners because he is deemed more intelligent than the rest of them and they need his intelligence therefore respect him and listen. On the other hand 'Sucre' responds by calling Michael 'fish' this is a derogatory term in prison for when someone is new in. Usually fishes wont have much 'street smart' in prison and won't know the ropes. Sucre is challenging Michael's power because he is new and doesn't know much about prison. This complies with Brown and Levinson's theory of positive and negative face. Sucre is negative face as has the desire to not have his actions impeded. Sucre is using a saving face method by being insulting towards MIchael therefore searching for social power amongst the prisoners even though he has more of a social reputation in prison.

Furthermore in the transcript we see the prison cell getting searched by a prison officer 'Bellick' he demands the prisoners around 'open it' this imperative shows his instrumental power as he is an authoritative figure in the prison.which supports Wareing's theory of influential and instrumental power. This shows his power around the prison and means he can tell the prisoners what to do. We can also tell this by Michael's response 'boss' this shows he knows he is in a higher position than him but there is a sense of sarcasm portrayed therefore it shows that Bellick may have authoritative power but not any power socially as prison guards are number one enemy to the prisoners. Also we see another social class involved when the Pope asks Bellick a question ' is there a problem here, deputy?' this suggests that the Pope is reminding Bellick of his social class within the prison. The word 'deputy' patronises him and makes the Pope look even more powerful in an authoritative sense. This also complies with Waering's theory of instrumental power as the Pope has over ruled the prison officer.

In source A we see power being power between the brothers, Michael and Lincoln. They are having an disagreement 'I'm gonna be a whole lot sooner that that' the personal pronoun suggests Michael is going to do whatever he wants whatever Lincoln's opinion on it is showing his power of independence using lexis. Lincoln replies ' It can't be done' the modal verb 'Can't' suggests that Lincoln is more powerful between the two as he is dictating what Michael does which is popular for an older brother. This complies with Fairclough's theory of auxiliary verbs demonstrate power as they are the mood of the subject in this case it happens it's a declarative sentence.

Furthermore Lincoln shows the prison intelligence and status is a powerful aspect when it comes to prison life 'those plans you can't show people. Guys like Abruzzi' he is giving his little brother advice with an order, we can tell it's an order from the modal verb 'can't' which shows Lincoln's prison intelligence and gives him power over Michael in the conversation as Lincoln has been in prison for longer than him.

In source C there is power shown by the nurse within the prison as Michael has been injured and because he is a prisoner he has no say in what happens to him next therefore its up to the authorities to decide the procedure of helping him. Sara ( the prison nurse ) the prison guards are standing around getting in here away 'thanks, guys, I'll take it from here' the imperative shows her instrumental power in which again complies with Wareing's theory. Sara uses her power over the prison guards to instruct them on what to do because in this case the nurse has more power in accident which we can tell from the imperative she uses. Later on in the conversation it shows Bellick, the prison officer and Sara the nurse searching for power. Sara uses another imperative 'start an investigation' this suggests she feels she has more authoritative power than Bellick. Bellick is so used to having prisoners used to doing what he says he doesn't expect to be bossed around ' oh, there's no need. We know what happened' this shows Bellick inserting his power in discourse. He feels as if he is more powerful because Sara is a nurse and that he is more respected and powerful.

Furthermore we see another male and female interaction between Michael and Nikka. They are again having a disagreement 'Don't come any closer else I'll shoot' Nikka uses the modal verb 'Don't to insert her authority now she has the gun and can boss Michael around. The lexis 'shoot' is powerful in the sentence as she would expect Michael to do as she says to save his own life so she feels in full control. This doesn't seem to be the case as Michael uses his power to patronise Nikka ' no you won't' the personal pronoun makes it personal to her and will get her thinking about what she is doing. Also the auxiliary verb 'won't' shows that Michael is in control this proves Fairclough's 'modal verb' theory to be true in this case.