Language can be used to convey power, as demonstrated in this extract from Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Calpurnia’s power over scouts is surprising, because black men and women in the 1930’s did not have much or any power. Her power is conveyed in this phrase, “Calpurnia sent me through the swinging door with a smack” (19). The word “sent” shows that Cal has some power over scout, because “sent” is a demand not a request. Cal is also displayed as not having any power at all, because of the phrase “It was then that Calpurnia requested my presence in the kitchen”(8). The word “requested” shows that Scout has some power over Cal because if Cal had the power she would have demanded scout to enter the kitchen not ask her to be in the