METAPHORS IN LAILA AL-OTHMAN’S AL-MUHKMA “THE TRIAL”

Abstract

This paper employs the conceptual metaphor theory framework introduced by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson in their pivotal 1980 text, "Metaphors We Live By," to explore the metaphorical constructs in Layla Al-Othman's 2000 autobiography, "The Trial." The study proposes that a dominant conceptual metaphor, "EVERYTHING IS A PRISON" critically shapes Al-Othman’s narrative, reflecting and potentially influencing the collective mindset of Gulf society, especially concerning the experiences of Kuwaiti women. This metaphor is not only central to the author's cognitive processing but is also vividly reflected through various linguistic metaphors in her text.