違反合作原則下《傲慢與偏見》會話含義分析

ChapterOneIntroductionThispaperwilltakethedialogueofthecharactersastheresearchobjectandanalyzeconversationalimplicationfromtheperspectiveofcooperationprinciple.ThisessaybeginswithanoutlineofPrideandPrejudiceandthedefinitionofdiscussionbeforemovingontoananalysisofthecooperationprincipleanditsfourbasicprinciples.Onthisbasis,itfurtheranalyzestheembodimentofthequantitymaxim,thequalitymaxim,therelationmaximandthemodemaximinthenovel,andsummarizesthefunctionofviolatingthecooperationprinciple.Oneistodescribethecharacter,theotheristorevealthethemeofthenovel.Fromtheperspectiveoftheviolationofthecooperativeprinciple,thispaperexaminesindetailtheconversationalmeaningofPrideandPrejudice,sothatreaderscanfurtherunderstandandappreciatethisfamousnovel,communicatemoreappropriatelyinreallife,andtastetheartisticcharmofliteraryworksfromadeeperlevel.1.1IntroductiontoPrideandPrejudicePrideandPrejudiceisanovelbyJaneAusten,anEnglishfemalenovelist.TakingtheloveandmarriagebetweenDarcy,whorepresents“arrogance”,andElizabeth,whorepresents“prejudice”,asthemainline,ittellsthestoryoffivedaughtersoftheyoungsquireBennet,emphasizingtoeliminatePrideandPrejudice.Elizabeth,theseconddaughter,istheprotagonist.ShemetDarcyataball,buthisarrogancealwaysputheroff.Aftermanytwistsandturns,ElizabethhasovercomeherprejudiceandDarcyhasswallowedhispride,andthecouplearefinallymarried.Usingeverydaylifeasthematerial,thenovelvividlyreflectstheconservativeandisolatedstateofEnglishrurallifeinthelate18thandearly19thcenturies,withthecontentofsentimentalfictionandthecontrivedwritingmethodthatwascontrarytothepopularsocietyatthetime.IthasbeenadaptedintomoviesandTVseriesmanytimes.1.2ConversationalImplicationIneverydayconversation,wealsoexpectthepersonwearetalkingtoprovideuswithrealinformationaboutthetopicinconciseandclearwords.However,infact,nomatterinwhatkindoflanguagecommunication,wewillfindthattheconversationalistsoftenviolatesomecooperationprinciplesintentionallyorunintentionally,sothattheirconversationconveyssomeovertonestotheotherparty,thatistosay,alotofinformationisnottransmittedinadirectway.Thepragmaticinformationthatthespeakerwantstoconveyintheprocessofcommunicationisnotthemeaningexpressedliterally.Atthispoint,inordertogettherealinformationbeyondtheliteralmeaningofthemessagesender,thelistener,asthereceiverofinformation,shouldreasonandanalysethemessagesender’sutterancesaccordingtotherelevantcontextoftheconversationinordertounderstandtheirrealmeaning.TheimplicationofthisdeliberateviolationofthecooperativeprincipleisdefinedbyGriceasconversationalimplicature.Theinferencesthatarisefromobservingthemaximsofthecooperativeprinciplearecalledgeneralizedconversationalimplicature,whiletheinferencesgeneratedbydeliberatelyfloutingorviolatingthemaximsofthecooperativeprinciplearetermedparticularizedconversationalimplicature.Thelatteristhetypicalwayofthegenerationoftheconversationalimplicature.ChapterTwoOverviewofCooperationPrinciplesSpeakingatHarvardUniversityin1967,thefamousAmericanphilosopheroflanguageGrice,proposedthecooperativeprinciple.AccordingtoGrice,bothpartiestoaconversationappeartoadheretoaparticularprinciple,whetherconsciouslyorunconsciously,inordertocooperateandsuccessfullyperformthecommunicationgoal.Gricethereforeproposedthecooperativeprincipleofconversation.Theprincipleofcooperationcomprisesfourbasicprinciples:thequantitymaxim,thequalitymaxim,therelationshipmaximandthemannermaxim.2.1MaximofQuantityIfthereisaneedforaspeakertoprovideinformation,thentheexpectationisthatthespeakerwillprovideasmuchinformationasisnecessary.Thesub-maximsofthemaximofquantityareasfollows:Keepyourpostasinformativeasisnecessaryforthepurposeofthemessageathand.Don’tmakewhatyoupostanymoreinformativethanitneedstobe.Forexample,themanhastwochildren.Supposethesentenceincludesalltheinformationrequiredintheconversation,inotherwords,themanhastwo,notthreeoronechildren.Thenthespeakercomplieswiththequantitymaxim.2.2MaximofQualityWhenpeopletalk,theymaytelltruthorlietohearers.Themaximofqualityimpliesthatpeoplesaysomethingsincerely,andwhatoneassertsimplicateswhatonebelieves.Thethingswhichlackevidencewillnotbetoldtoothers.Thequestiononeasksimpliesthatoneaskssincerelyandlackstherequiredinformation.Thereforepeopledon’tsaywhattheybelievetobefalseanddon’tsaythingstheylackadequateevidencefor.AccordingtoGrice,thesub-maximsofthemaximofqualityareasfollows:Donotsaythingsthatyoubelievetobefalse.Donotsaythingsforwhichyoudonothavesufficientevidence.Forexample,someonesays:“Pragmaticsisdifficult.”IfthespeakerbelievesthatPragmaticsisdifficultandhegivesusexamplestoprovehisviewpoint.Thenthisprovesthatthespeakercomplieswiththequalitymaxim.2.3MaximofRelationGriceproposesthatduringconversation,inordertokeeptheconversationgoingeffectivelyandefficiently,peopleshouldproviderelevantinformation.Theresponsetoaquestionorthecontinuanceofadialogueshouldberelevanttothepreviouscontext.Andsometimesduetothesharedinformationbyboththespeakerandthehearer,theseeminglyirrelevanttopicisalsoconnectedwiththeprevioustopic.2.4MaximofMannerAccordingtothepreceptofmanners,communicatorsmustprovideinformationquicklyandclearly.Theinformationshouldbeclearandunambiguous.Thespeaker’sinformationisevaluatedusingthismaximtoseewhetheritisclear.Therearefoursubmaxims:(1)Obscurityofexpressionshouldbeavoided.(2)Ambiguityshouldbeavoided.(3)Unnecessaryprolixityshouldbeavoided.(4)Beorderly.Forexample,“Theywashedandwenttobed.”Thissentencedeliverstheinformationaccordingtotimeorderandisclear.Itindicatesthatthespeakercomplieswiththemannermaxim.ChapterThreeAnalysisoftheViolationoftheCooperativePrincipleinPrideandPrejudiceThedialoguebetweenthecharactersinPrideandPrejudiceoccupiesalargeamountofspaceinthenovel.Itisthesedialoguesthatletusseethevividcharacters,andthehiddenmeaningofthewordsbehindthedialoguesisworththereaderstosavorandponder.Inthefollowing,byintroducingtheimpliedmeaningofdiscourseresultingfromtheviolationofthecooperativeprinciple,wetrytousethetheoryofconversationalimplicaturetomakereadersunderstandthehiddenmeaningbehindthevagueandindirectexpressionofthespeaker.3.1ViolationoftheMaximofQuantityAccordingtothequantityrule,thespeakermustprovideasmuchinformationasfeasibleinordertosatisfythelistener’sdesire.Thephenomenonofviolationofquantitativecriterioncanbedividedintotwoaspects:thediscoursedoesnotcompletelycontaintheinformationrequiredbytheotherparty,andthediscoursecontainsmoreinformationthantheinformationrequiredbytheotherparty.Thismottorequiresthattheamountofinformationinaconversationshouldmatcheachotherasmuchaspossible.Beasinformativeaspossibletoensurethattheconversationrunssmoothly.Whenthisguidelineisviolated,thespeakerreducestheinformationheorsheanswerswithtoindicatealackofinterestinthetopic,oralackofconvenienceinanswering.Anotherrequirementisthatnomoreinformationshouldbeansweredthanisneededtoanswerthequestion.Aviolationofthisprincipleistooverloadtheresponsebyprovidingmoreinformationthanthequestion.3.1.1TooMuchInformationofMrs.Bennet’DiscourseThisconversationtakesplacewhenMrs.BennettlearnsthatNetherfieldParkhasbeenrentedbyawealthy,singleyounggentleman.Mrs.BennettisveryexcitedtotellMr.Bennettthenews.Example(1):Mr.Bennetsaid:“Whatishisname?”Mrs.Bennetsaid:“Bingley.”Mr.Bennetsaid:“Ishemarriedorsingle?”Mrs.Bennetsaid:“Oh,single,mydear,tobesure!Asinglemanoflargefortune;fourorfivethousandayear.Whatafinethingforourgirls!”Mr.BennetwasnotmuchinterestedinthenewMr.Bingley,buthewasinterestedinhisdaughter’sfuture.SoafteraskingBingley’sname,heaskedifhewasmarried.AndMrs.Bennetwasevidentlyverypleasedwithhernewlyeligiblebachelor.Afterprovidingtheappropriateinformation,“single,”Sheaddedalotofadditionalinformation:arichmanwhoearnsfourorfivethousandpoundsayear.ItwasnotdifficulttoseethatMrs.Bennethadviolatedthequantityrule.Donotincludemoreinformationthanisnecessarytoyourwords.HerobjectwastosuggesttoMr.Bennetthathewasaverygoodcandidateforason-in-law.ThissetthestageforMrs.BennettourgehimtovisitMr.Bingley.Fromthissimpleconversation,wecanseethatMrs.Bennet’seagernesstomarryherdaughtertoBingley,atypicalmotherconcernedaboutherdaughter’sfuture,andhasthecharacteristicsofachattymiddle-agedwoman.Mr.Bennet,ontheotherhand,wasquietandreserved.Intheseventhchapterofthenovel,JanereceivesaletterfromMissBentley,inwhichMissBentleyinvitesJanetohavedinnerwiththem,andthefollowingconversationoccursbetweenherandhermother.Example(2):Janesaid:“CanIhavethecarriage?”Mrs.Bennettsaid:“No,mydear,youhadbettergoonhorseback,becauseitseemslikelytorain;andthenyoumuststayallnight.”JaneaskedhermotherifshecouldgotoMissBentley’shousebycarriage.Mrs.Bennettshouldhaveansweredifshecouldgobycarriage,butheranswerdidnotmatchtheamountofinformationthespeakerwasexpecting,andviolatedthequantitymaxim.Mrs.BennetthadalwayswantedherdaughtertomarryMr.Bentley,sosheletJaneridetotheappointment,knowingthatitwasgoingtorainandJanewouldgetwetandsick.Mrs.Bennetthadnoregardforherdaughter’shealth,exceptthatJanewouldstayatMr.Bingley’shouseforthenightifshefellill,andshedidnotwanttopassupthechanceofherspendingtimewithMr.Bingley.AsElizabethhadsaid,Mother’splanwouldhaveworkediftheBentleyshadnotsentJaneback.Laterinthebook,welearnthatitdidrainthatday,andMrs.Bennett’splansucceeded.ButwhenJanewrotetohermothertotellherthatshewasill,Mrs.Bennett,farfrombeingworriedaboutherdaughter,saidthateverythingwouldbeallrightaslongasJanestayedthere.Fromthisconversation,wecanseethatMrs.Bennett’scharacterisvain,worldly,andunkind.3.1.2TooLittleInformationofElizabeth’sDiscourseExample:Mrs.Bennetsaid:“Where’sthegirls,theyarealwaysmissingwhenIamingreatneedofthem.”Elizabethsaid:“Ifonlyyoufindtheyoungofficers,Mum.”Elizabeth’smotherdemandstoknowwhereherdaughtersareinthisconversation,Elizabeth’sreply,ifyoucouldonlyfindtheyoungofficersdoesnotgivethepreciseinformationhermotherwants.InthediscussionthattookplacebetweenElizabethandhermother,Mrs.Bennet,Elizabethviolatesthequantitativerulebynotgivinghermotherenoughinformationabouttheexactlocationofhersisters,butshecomplieswiththequalitativeruleandthusgeneratestheconversationalmeaning.Thedialoguehere,whichviolatestherulesofquantityandobeystherulesofquality,showsElizabeth’sintelligence.3.2ViolationoftheMaximofQualityQualitystandardsrequireustotellthetruth,donotsaycontrarywords,donotsayuncertainwords.However,indailylife,peopledeliberatelyviolatethequalitystandardbyusingirony,exaggerationandotherrhetoricaldevicestosaysomethingtheyknowisunfoundedorfalse.3.2.1TheBreachofTruthbetweenElizabethandDarcy’sDiscourseInChapterelevenofthenovel,DarcymadefunofBingleyandElizabethwalkingintheroomonpurposetoattracthisattention.BingleyaskedElizabethhowtopunishDarcy,andoneofElizabeth’swordsisworthourconsideration.Example:Elizabethsaid:“Mr.Darcyisnottobelaughedat!”“Thatisanuncommonadvantage,anduncommonIhopeitwillcontinue,foritwouldbeagreatlosstometohavemanysuchacquaintance.Idearlylovealaugh.”Darcysaid:“Thewisestandthebestofmen--nay,thewisestandbestoftheiractions--mayberenderedridiculousbyapersonwhosefirstobjectinlifeisajoke.”Elizabethdidnotdirectlysatirizehisprideandarrogance,butsarcastically“praised”Darcy’s“advantages”thataredifferentfromordinarypeopleonthesurface.Infact,shesatirizedDarcythathecouldnottakeajokeandwasaboringperson.Onthesurface,shegavehimenoughface,butinfact,shesatirizedDarcyasasuperiorandinaccessibleperson.AndElizabethisalsothroughthisironicwaytoexpresshercontemptforDarcy’sinsolence,reflectingElizabeth’sbraveandgenerous.3.2.2NoSufficientEvidenceofElizabeth’sDiscourseMr.DarcyaskedElizabethtodancewithhiminchapter18.Elizabethrecalledhisarrogantactionsfromthefirstdanceparty.Example:Darcysaid:“Doyoutalkbyrule,then,whileyouaredancing?”Elizabethsaid:“Sometimes.Onemustspeakalittle...andyet,fortheadvantageofsome,conversationoughttobesoarranged,asthattheymayhavethetroubleofsayingaslittleaspossible.”Darcysaid:“Areyouconsultingyourownfeelingsinthepresentcase,ordoyouimaginethatyouaregratifyingmine?”Elizabethsaid:“Both,forIhavealwaysseenagreatsimilarityintheturnofourminds.Weareeachofanunsocial,taciturndisposition,unwillingtospeak,unlessweexpecttosaysomethingthatwillamazethewholeroom,andbehandeddowntoposteritywithalltheclatofaproverb.”Elizabeth’smisunderstandingofDarcydeepensafterhearingWickham’sslandersabouthimbeforetheballandDarcy’sbehavioratthefirstball.Sotheymadehimtalkduringthedancetopunishhim.WhenaskedbyDarcywhethershemusttalk,sherepliedthatsometimesshedid,butchangedthesubjectandsaidthatforsome’ssakeitwouldbebettertotalkless.Apparently“someone”heremeansDarcy.Elizabeth’sdeliberateuseofmetaphor,infact,istomockDarcy’sarrogance,eveninsucharelaxedmomentofdancing.ShethenpointedoutthatsheandDarcywereofaverysimilardisposition,andneithercouldbesociable,unlessshewantedtosaysomethingstrikingthatwouldbepasseddownasamotto.FromthefirstfewchapterswecanseethatElizabethisanoptimisticandcheerfulgirl,notasilentandunsociablegirlasshesays.Itisnotdifficulttofind,therefore,thatshewasspeakingsarcastically,inordertomakefunofDarcy.Sheaddedtotheironybyexaggeratingthattheyshouldsaysomethingthatwillbememorable.Elizabethsaidthesewordsarebasicallyagainstherheart,shedeliberatelysaidsomethingsheknewtobefalseandunfounded,inviolationofthequalitycode,toachievethepurposeofmockingDarcy.Fromthesewords,wecanrealizeElizabeth’sfrankandcheerfulandingenuouscharacterofalittlegirl.3.3ViolationoftheMaximofRelationTheconversationalrelationcriterionmeansthattheconversationiststartstheconversationaroundafixedtopic,otherwise,therewillbeineffectivecommunicationthatdeviatesfromthetopic.3.3.1NoRelationshipbetweenBennet’sDiscourseandTopicInthesecondchapterofthenovelPrideandPrejudice,Mrs.Bennettcannotunderstandthetruemeaningofherhusband’swordsbecauseMr.BennetthasconcealedthefactthathehasvisitedMr.Bentley.ThisineffectivecommunicationdirectlyleadstoMrs.Bennett’sdislikeforMr.Bentley.Shehasnowaytoventherannoyance,soshetakesitoutonherdaughterKatiewhoiscoughing.Example:Mrs.Bennettsaid:“Don’tkeepcoughingso,Kitty,forheaven’ssake!Havealittlecompassiononmynerves.Youtearthemtopieces.”Mr.Bennettsaid:“Kittyhasnodiscretioninhercoughs,shetimesthemill.”Mrs.Bennettsaid:“IamsickofMr.Bingley.”Mr.Bennettsaid:“Itisveryunlucky;butasIhaveactuallypaidthevisit,wecannotescapetheacquaintancenow.”Mrs.Bennettsaid:“Howgooditwasinyou,butIknewIshouldpersuadeyouatlast.Iwassureyoulovedourgirlstoowelltoneglectsuchanacquaintance.Well,howpleasedIam!anditissuchagoodjoke,too,thatyoushouldhavegonethismorning,andneversaidawordaboutittillnow.”Mr.Bennettsaid:“Now,Kitty,youmaycoughasmuchasyouchoose,ashespoke,helefttheroom,fatiguedwiththerapturesofhiswife.”Here,Mrs.BennettsaidthatKatie’scoughaffectedhermoodbadly,butlaterwhenshelearnedthatMr.Bingley,abachelor,wascomingtovisit,hermoodchangedwildly.Inresponsetohiswife’sfollow-upquestions,Mr.Bennettdidnotdirectlyanswer,butsimplytoldKatiethatshecouldcoughanywayshewanted.Suchamisdirectedresponseisaclearviolationofthemaximofrelation,andanexpressionofMr.Bennett’sdispleasurewithhiswife’stemperamentalbehavior:Katie’scoughisanuncontrollablephysicaldisease.Asamother,Mrs.Bennettdoesnotcareaboutherdaughter’sillness,butfindsanexcusetoventherfeelingsonhersickdaughter.ThisisfullofcruelironyforMrs.Bennett,whoprofessestoloveherdaughter.ButMrs.Bennett,whowasobsessedwiththeprospectofherdaughtermarryingawealthybachelor,Mr.Bingley,hadnoinklingofhisunusualattitude.ThisdetailvividlyportraysMrs.Bennettasasimple,superficial,andemptyvase.3.3.2NoRelationshipbetweenLadyCatherine’sDiscourseandTopicInChaptertwenty-nineofthenovel,Mr.CollinsinvitestheBennetstodinner.LadyCatherinethinkstheyareinferiorandtalkabovethem.SheisveryinterestedinElizabeth,andthefollowingconversationtakesplacebetweenthem.Example:Catherinesaid:“Yourfather’sestateisentailedonMr.Collins,Ithink.Foryoursake,turningtoCharlotte,Iamgladofit;but…ItwasnotthoughtnecessaryinSirLewistheBourgh’sfamily.Doyouplayandsing,MissBennet?”Elizabethsaid:“Alittle.”Catherinesaid:“Oh,then,sometimeorotherweshallbehappytohearyou.Ourinstrumentisacapitalone,probablysuperiorto——youshalltryitsomeday.Doyoursistersplayandsing?”…“Hasyourgovernessleftyou?”Elizabethsaid:“Weneverhadanygoverness.”Catherinesaid:“Nogoverness!Howwasthatpossible?Fivedaughtersbroughtupathomewithoutagoverness!Ineverheardofsuchathing.Yourmothermusthavebeenquiteaslavetoyoureducation.”LadyCatherine’sconversationwithElizabethisfullofrandomness.ThefirstwasadiscussionofMr.Bennet’sinheritancetoCollins;thenextwasaquestionofwhetherElizabethcouldsingandplay,andthen,withoutwarning,whethertheirgovernesshadleft.LadyCatherine’squestionhadnorelevance,andtoswervetoanothertopicbeforethepreviousonehadfinishedwasaclearbreachoftherelevancecode.ButwecanstillunderstandLadyCatherine’strueintentionsfromthedialogue.Asamemberoftheuppersociety,LadyCatherinethoughtthattalkingwithElizabethwasalreadycondescending,sosheshowedherpowerintheconversationandaskedeverythingthatcametohermind,withoutconsciouslyobservingtheprincipleofcooperation.Infact,intheseseeminglyunrelatedtopics,LadyCatherineflauntedherwealthandpoweratalltimes,whilebelittlingElizabeth.LadyCatherinedeliberatelyviolatedthecodeofassociationinordertobelittleheropponentandelevateherself.AustenarrangesthisdialoguetoportrayLadyCatherineasaproudladywithahighopinionofherself.3.4ViolationoftheMaximofMannerMaximofMannermeanstobeclearandarticulate.Thismaximrequiresspeakertoavoidobscureexpressions,vaguestatements,verbosity,andstayorganizedincommunication.AviolationoftheMaximofMannerwillresultininconsistentcontent.3.4.1VerbosityofMr.Bennet’sDiscourseInthefirstchapterofthenovel,whenMrs.Bennetthearsthatawealthybachelorhasarrivedatthemanor,shehasthisconversationwithherhusband.Example:Mr.Bennettsaid:“MydearMr.Bennet,haveyouheardthatNetherfieldParkisletatlast?”Mr.Bennetrepliedhehadnot.“Butitis,”returnedshe,“forMrs.Longhasjustbeenhere,andshetoldmeallaboutit.”Mr.Bennettsaid:“Doyouwanttoknowwhohastakenit?”Mr.Bennet:“Youwanttotellme,andIhavenoobjectiontohearit.”Fromtheconversation,wecanseethatMr.Bennettwasnotasexcitedashiswife.Mr.Bennettshouldhaveanswered“yes”or“no”tohiswife’squestion,butinsteadhegaveheralengthyandunnecessaryanswerthatclearlyviolatedthemaximofmanner.Mr.BennetwasnotcurioustolearnwhohadrentedNetherfield.HewasobligedtotellMrs.Bennet,inordertokeepherfromtalking,thathewantedtoknowwhohadrentedNetherfield.AlthoughMr.Bennetwasnotinterestedinthenews,hewasobliged,indeferencetoMrs.Bennet’sunpleasantquestion,toanswerintheaffirmative,andtogiveherthechoiceofspeakingout.ItalsoshowsfromthesidethatMr.Bennettisagentleman.3.4.2AmbiguityinDarcy’sDiscourseInchaptersixofthenovel,atSirWilliam’sgrandball,althoughElizabethrefuseshisinvitationtodancewithher,Mr.Darcydoesnotfeelanysorroworanger,butpraisesElizabeth’sbeautifuleyesforsuchgreatpleasure.WhenMissBingleysawandaskedhimwhichladyhadsuchanadvantage,andMr.DarcyansweredMissElizabethBennet,thefollowingexchangetookplacebetweenthem.Example:MissBingleysaid:“MissElizabethBennet!Iamallastonishment.Howlonghasshebeensuchafavorite?AndpraywhenamItowishyoujoy?”Darcysaid:“ThatisexactlythequestionwhichIexpectedyoutospeak.Alady’simaginationisveryrapid;itjumpsfromadmirationtolove,fromlovetomatrimony,inamoment.Iknewyouwouldbewishingmejoy.”AsMissBingleyhadalwaysadmiredMr.Darcy,shewasfilledwithjealousy,aswellasshock,whensheheardthathelikedElizabeth.ShethoughtMr.DarcywouldsoonmarryElizabeth.Mr.Darcymockedherwildimaginationwiththeremark,“Alady’simaginationisquick.”“alady”mayrefertoallyoungladiesingeneral,ortoMissBingley.Byusingvaguewords,Darcyviolatesthemaximofmanner,andhistactfulviolationofthemaximofmannerisintendedtoshowthathedoesnotwanttosharehisfeelingsaboutElizabethwithMissBingley,andalsotoimplythatMissBingley’spredictionisnotrealistic,showingDarcy’sshrewdnessandsarcasmtowardsMissBingley.3.4.3ComplexityofDarcy’sDiscourseItwasataballthattheBennetdaughtersmadeMr.Bingley’sacquaintance.ButDarcy,Bingley’sgoodfriend,seemedextremelyproudofthefamily,andconsiderednoneofthemworthyofhispartners.Example:Mr.Bingleysaid:“Come,Darcy,Imusthaveyoudance.Ihatetoseeyoustandingaboutbyyourselfinthisstupidmanner.Youhadmuchbetterdance.”Mr.Darcysaid:“Icertainlyshallnot.YouknowhowIdetestit,unlessIamparticularlyacquaintedwithmypartner.Atsuchanassemblyasthis,itwouldbeinsupportable.Yoursistersareengaged,andthereisnotanotherwomanintheroomwhomitwouldnotbeapunishmenttometostandupwith.”HereMr.Darcydeliberatelyviolatedthemaximofbrevitybysayingalotoflong-windedthings.Inthispassage,Mr.Darcycouldonlymeanonething--thathewouldnotdance.However,inresponsetoMr.Bingley’spersuasion,Mr.Darcyendshisreplybysayingabsolutelynotodancing,thensayshehatesdancingtoexpresshisrefusal,thensayshecan’tstandittoexpresshisdisgust,andfinallysaysheisdisgustedbyliving.Inthisway,hisinnerrejectionandhisarrogantcharacterarebetterhighlighted.ChapterFourTheInspirationofViolationsofthePrincipleofCooperationinPrideandPrejudiceInPrideandPrejudice,inadditiontothedescriptionofthecharacter’spersonalitytraits,thedescriptionofthecharacter’spersonalitytraitsisalsoanindicationofthenovel’stheme.4.1DescriptionoftheCharactersFromtheanalysisofconversationsinPrideandPrejudice,thepersonalityofthecharactersinPrideandPrejudicecanbeobtained.Inthefollowing,thepersonalitiesofthemaincharacterswillbedepictedonebyone.4.1.1Elizabeth’sCharacterAstheprotagonistofthenovel,Elizabethplaysaveryimportantroleinthewholeofthearticle.TheanalysisofthedialogueinviolationofthemaximofquantityrevealsthatElizabethisintelligentandhasanactivemind.Throughtheanalysisofthedialogueinviolationofthemaximofquality,itcanseethatElizabethisbraveandgenerous,daretosayanddo.Attheball,DarcyasksElizabethtodance,ElizabethtauntsDarcyforhispride.Fromtheanalysisofthedialogueinviolationoftherelationshipcriterion,itcanseethatElizabethisbraveandstraightforward,notafraidofpower.ShewasnotafraidtospeaktoLadyCatherineandtoexpresshertruethoughtsinherpresence.4.1.2Darcy’sCharacterTheanalysisofthedialogueinviolationofthemaximofmannerrevealsthatDarcywasamanofwitandsensitivity.Darcy’sloveforElizabethhasneverchanged,andhedoesnotwanttosharehisfeelingsforherwithMissBingley,soheuses“Alady’simaginationisveryrapid”toexpressironytoMissBingley.Inaddition,italsocanseeDarcy’sarrogantandconceitedcharacter.Hewasagreatdancer,buthedidn’twanttodancewithsomeonehedidn’tknowbecausehethoughtitwouldbepainful.4.1.3Mr.andMrs.Bennet’sCharacterThroughtheanalysisofthedialogueinviolationofthemaximofquantityrevealsthatMrs.Bennetwasvain,malechauvinism,unkind,andhasthecharacteristicsofamiddle-agedwoman’schatterbox.Mrs.Bennetalwayswantedherdaughtertogoupintheworldandmarryarichman,sheletJaneridetotheappointment,knowingthatitwasgoingtorainandJanewouldgetwetandsick.Sheisoftenself-centeredanddoesnotconsiderotherpeople’sfeelings.FromtheanalysisofthedialoguesviolatingtherelationshipcriterionrevealsthatMrs.Bennetisatemperamentalandshallowperson.Shetookitoutonhersickdaughter,andwhenshelearnedthatMr