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Article published In: English Text Construction
Vol. 14:2 (2021) ► pp.182–202

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Non-coherent cohesive texts

Lucky’s soliloquy in Beckett’s Waiting for Godot

 | The British University in Dubai
Published online: 24 May 2022
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https://doi.org/10.1075/etc.00046.abu
Abstract
This article examines the function of cohesive devices (i.e., the linguistic tools that are usually used to link the various parts of the text) in Beckett’s Waiting for Godot. In Lucky’s soliloquy, certain cohesive devices are employed intensively so as to impede immediate understanding. At the same time, Beckett’s distinctive use of cohesive devices uniquely establishes a more profound awareness of the work’s message, which this article identifies as strategic coherence. This paper employed an embedded (QUAL:quan) mixed-methods approach and a validated model of cohesion to analyse Lucky’s speech.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
    • 1.1Setting the scene
    • 1.2Theoretical framework
    • 1.3Statement of the problem and research purpose
  • 2.Literature review
    • 2.1Types of cohesive devices
    • 2.2Related work
    • 2.3Beckettian studies and Waiting for Godot
  • 3.Methodology
    • 3.1Mixed-methods design
    • 3.2Research procedure and instruments
  • 4.Findings and discussion
  • 5.Conclusions and recommendations
  • Note
  • References
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