Passage 098 · 1975
"Discipline and Punish"
Main effectThrough anaphoric accumulation, passive-to-active transformation, reflexive pronouns, and copulative identification, Foucault creates syntax of internalized surveillance—grammar that performs Panopticon's operation through increasingly self-directed clauses.
Device index
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Tropes
Seemingly contradictory statement.
Schemes
Repetition at beginning of clauses.
Inverted parallel structure.
No words highlightedSyntax
"He who is subjected"—relative clause defining pronoun. Syntax makes subjectivity dependent on being observed.
"is subjected to"—passive voice emphasizes being acted upon. Syntax shows subject as object of visibility.
"and who knows it"—additional relative clause. Syntax emphasizes consciousness of surveillance as key.
"assumes responsibility"—active verb shows shift from passive to active. Syntax tracks internalization.
"makes them play"—causative verb with infinitive. Syntax shows subject compelling power's mechanisms.
"upon himself"—prepositional phrase with reflexive. Syntax performs the turning inward of power.
"he inscribes in himself"—transitive verb with reflexive object. Syntax makes body text, written by power.
"simultaneously plays both roles"—adverb with dual objects. Syntax captures subject/object doubling.
"he becomes the principle"—copula marks complete internalization. Syntax shows subject AS power's mechanism.
Close reading
1Close Reading
Relative Clause Subject
"He who is subjected"—relative clause defining pronoun. Syntax makes subjectivity dependent on being observed.
Passive Construction
"is subjected to"—passive voice emphasizes being acted upon. Syntax shows subject as object of visibility.
Parenthetical Knowledge
"and who knows it"—additional relative clause. Syntax emphasizes consciousness of surveillance as key.
Active Transformation
"assumes responsibility"—active verb shows shift from passive to active. Syntax tracks internalization.
Causative Construction
"makes them play"—causative verb with infinitive. Syntax shows subject compelling power's mechanisms.
Reflexive Pronoun
"upon himself"—prepositional phrase with reflexive. Syntax performs the turning inward of power.
Metaphor of Inscription
"he inscribes in himself"—transitive verb with reflexive object. Syntax makes body text, written by power.
Adverbial Simultaneity
"simultaneously plays both roles"—adverb with dual objects. Syntax captures subject/object doubling.
Copulative Transformation
"he becomes the principle"—copula marks complete internalization. Syntax shows subject AS power's mechanism.
Stylistic Effect
Through anaphoric accumulation, passive-to-active transformation, reflexive pronouns, and copulative identification, Foucault creates syntax of internalized surveillance—grammar that performs Panopticon's operation through increasingly self-directed clauses.