SYNTACTIC PARALLELISM AND FEMININE VOICE: A STYLISTIC AND SOCIOCULTURAL READING OF FARZANA AQIB’S DOWN TO THE DUST

Abstract

This study explores the role of syntactic parallelism as a stylistic device in Farzana Aqib’s poem Down to the Dust, examining how this linguistic structure amplifies the feminine voice within the sociocultural constraints of Pakistan. The repetition of syntactic patterns not only generates rhythm and emphasis but also conveys emotional exhaustion, gendered suffering, and existential despair. Drawing on Leech and Short’s (2007) stylistic model, the study analyzes key linguistic features, while feminist literary theory is employed to interpret the poem’s sociocultural implications. This analytical approach reveals how Aqib’s poetic voice reflects female marginalization, psychological trauma, and a persistent hope amidst systemic gender inequalities. The paper indicates that syntactic parallelism in Aqib’s work functions as both an aesthetic strategy and a political act, underscoring the collective emotional and social experiences of women.