Dan Brown's Strathmore in Digital Fortress: A Forensic Linguistic Perspective

Abstract

This research paper explores forensic linguistics and its application to character analysis, specifically examining the speech patterns of Trevor Strathmore, the mastermind criminal disguised as a patriotic savior in Dan Brown’s science thriller Digital Fortress. By utilizing various linguistic tools, this study aims to uncover how forensic linguistic methods can reveal deeper insights into his deceptive language and motivations. By dissecting the verbal, written, and subconscious language he employs in the novel, this study establishes the importance and relevance of forensic linguistics in real-life and fictional criminal cases and how it can be beneficial in the process of incriminating someone legally, or morally. Language is an efficient expositor of human discourse, as, through its various dimensions, the actions and intentions of human beings are studied for certain purposes. Forensic linguistics not only enables us to look deeper into how criminals converse or engage in monologues, but also shows us why problematic behaviors are problematic. By navigating through Commander Strathmore’s language patterns throughout Digital Fortress philologically, it is determined that this sense of entitlement in his behaviour was fed into him by his long service in an intelligence organization like the NSA, where the national security of America is prioritized over human rights. Through a linguistic analysis, it is evident that Strathmore’s language, intonation and vocal clarity were substantial enough to have him morally convicted of various crimes posthumously, even though his position rendered him free of legal charges. Forensic linguistics thus acts as an important part of criminal investigations, whether real or fictional and helps students of language and law merge their knowledge to seek true justice for the victims and their perpetrators.