Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Toxic rhetoric: the language of The Turner Diaries: A Novel

Wilson, J. M. (2014) Toxic rhetoric: the language of The Turner Diaries: A Novel. In: Feldman, M. and Jackson, P. (eds.) Doublespeak: The Rhetoric of the Far Right Since 1945. Stuttgart: Ibidem Verlag. pp. 61-80.

Item Type: Book Section
Abstract: This article discusses the rhetorical strategies in the neo-Nazi text, The Turner Diaries: A Novel, by William Luther Pierce III (aka Andrew MacDonald), by which everyday reality is overturned in an apocalyptic vision for humanity. Critical discourse analysis is used to show how this dystopian fiction linguistically maps a new world order, 'cleansing' and redefining existing social structures as normal language is revised and appropriated by an explicit discourse of violence, racial bigotry and terrorism. Arguing that the novel constructs a 'community with closure', that will ultimately deter most readers, the article also compares the techniques of The Turner Diaries with the rhetorical strategies of 21st century European right wing parties.
Uncontrolled Keywords: The Turner Diaries: A Novel, toxic rhetoric, William Luther Pierce III, critical discourse analysis, neo-Nazi ideology
Subjects: J Political Science > JC Political theory > JC348 Forms of the state > JC480 Authoritarianism. Totalitarianism. Fascism > JC481 Fascism
P Language and Literature > PS American literature > PS700 Individual authors > PS3550 1961-2000
Creators: Wilson, Janet M
Editors: Feldman, Matthew and Jackson, Paul
Publisher: Ibidem Verlag
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Centre for Critical and Creative Writing
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Education & Humanities > English and Creative Writing
Faculties > Faculty of Education & Humanities > English and Creative Writing
Research Centres > Centre for Critical and Creative Writing
Date: March 2014
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 61-80
Title of Book: Doublespeak: The Rhetoric of the Far Right Since 1945
Place of Publication: Stuttgart
Number of Pages: 336
Language: English
ISBN: 9783838205540
Media of Output: Print
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: No
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URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/5229

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