TURN-TAKING MECHANISM: A CONVERSATIONAL ANALYSIS OF LADY GREGORY'S THE RISING OF THE MOON

Abstract

This research paper examines the turn-taking mechanisms in Lady Gregory’s one-act play The Rising of the Moon (1907) through the lens of conversational analysis (CA). By applying Sacks, Schegloff, and Jefferson’s (1974) turn-taking model and Stenström’s (1994) conversational strategies, this study analyzes how the dialogue between the Sergeant and the Ragged Man reflects power dynamics, thematic tensions, and character development. The analysis suggests that the Ragged Man strategically uses extended turns and cultural references to persuade the Sergeant, leading to a shift in conversational control and the Sergeant’s decision to let him escape. This study contributes to understanding how turn-taking in dramatic dialogue enhances thematic depth and character interaction in literary works, offering insights into the interplay of language and ideology in Irish drama.