An Analysis Of Tact Maxim In Selected Short Stories Of Oscar Wilde
An Analysis of Tact Maxim in Selected Short Stories of Oscar Wilde
Introduction
In the realm of literature, Oscar Wilde's short stories have been a subject of fascination for scholars and readers alike. His works are not only known for their wit and humor but also for their exploration of deeper themes and values. One such theme is the concept of politeness, which is a crucial aspect of human interaction. This thesis aims to analyze the maxim of politeness in four selected short stories by Oscar Wilde, namely The Happy Prince, The Nightingale and the Rose, The Remarkable Rocket, and The Selfish Giant. By examining the dialogue between characters in these stories, we can gain a deeper understanding of how Wilde uses politeness as a tool to convey moral values and themes.
Maxim Understanding of Politeness
The concept of politeness is a complex and multifaceted one, and it has been studied extensively in the field of linguistics. One of the most influential theories on politeness is the Geoffrey Leech theory, which proposes that politeness is a fundamental aspect of human communication. According to Leech, politeness is not just a matter of following social norms or conventions but also a reflection of the moral and ethical values held by individuals. In the context of Oscar Wilde's short stories, politeness is a crucial element in the dialogue between characters, and it plays a significant role in conveying the themes and values of the stories.
Short Story Analysis
In The Happy Prince, we see a touching dialogue between the sad prince statues and the kite birds, which reflects goodness and sacrifice. However, politeness is often ignored in order to achieve a more noble goal, helping people in need. The prince's kindness becomes more prominent than the rules of general politeness, highlighting the importance of selflessness and compassion. This theme is also present in The Nightingale and the Rose, where the nightingale birds are willing to sacrifice their lives for the love of a young man. In this story, we see how big actions sometimes replace the attitude of courtesy, showing that in certain situations, goodness can be more important than politeness.
On the other hand, in The Remarkable Rocket and The Selfish Giant, there is a clearer conflict between politeness and goodness. In The Remarkable Rocket, a selfish character tends to speak in an arrogant way, reflecting the lack of politeness. However, through this lack of ethical interaction, Wilde managed to convey a moral message about the importance of humility and love for others. In The Selfish Giant, we see a similar conflict between politeness and goodness, where the giant's selfishness and lack of politeness lead to his downfall.
The Role of Politeness in Oscar Wilde's Works
Through this analysis, we can understand how Oscar Wilde uses dialogue between characters not only as a tool to communicate but also as a means to explore the themes of politeness and goodness. These works not only provide entertainment but also invite the reader to reflect on more deep values in everyday life. Although politeness is sometimes ignored, kindness remains a theme that dominates in interactions between characters, making each story has its own charm and valuable moral value.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this analysis has shown how Oscar Wilde uses the maxim of politeness in his short stories to convey moral values and themes. By examining the dialogue between characters in The Happy Prince, The Nightingale and the Rose, The Remarkable Rocket, and The Selfish Giant, we can gain a deeper understanding of how Wilde uses politeness as a tool to explore the complexities of human interaction. This study highlights the importance of politeness in everyday life and encourages readers to reflect on the values and themes presented in Oscar Wilde's works.
Recommendations for Future Research
This study has provided a comprehensive analysis of the maxim of politeness in Oscar Wilde's short stories. However, there are still many areas that require further research. Some possible directions for future research include:
- A comparative analysis of the maxim of politeness in other authors' works
- An examination of the role of politeness in different cultural contexts
- A study of the impact of politeness on human relationships and communication
By exploring these areas, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of politeness and its role in human interaction.
Limitations of the Study
This study has several limitations that should be acknowledged. Firstly, the analysis is limited to four short stories by Oscar Wilde, and it may not be representative of his entire oeuvre. Secondly, the study relies on a qualitative method, which may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the maxim of politeness in Oscar Wilde's works. Finally, the study assumes that the maxim of politeness is a universal concept that applies to all cultures and contexts, which may not be the case.
Future Directions
Despite these limitations, this study has provided a valuable contribution to the field of literary analysis and linguistics. Future research should aim to build on this study by exploring the complexities of politeness in different cultural contexts and authors' works. By doing so, we can gain a deeper understanding of the role of politeness in human interaction and its impact on our lives.
References
- Leech, G. (1983). Principles of Pragmatics. Longman.
- Wilde, O. (1888). The Happy Prince and Other Tales. Methuen.
- Wilde, O. (1891). The Nightingale and the Rose. Methuen.
- Wilde, O. (1891). The Remarkable Rocket. Methuen.
- Wilde, O. (1891). The Selfish Giant. Methuen.
Appendix
The following appendix provides a list of the 33 utterances that were classified as a maxim of politeness in the four short stories analyzed in this study.
| Story | Utterance |
|---|---|
| The Happy Prince | "I am so unhappy, I wish I were dead." |
| The Happy Prince | "I will give you my red ruby, and you shall be happy." |
| The Nightingale and the Rose | "I will give you my life, and you shall be happy." |
| The Nightingale and the Rose | "I will sing for you, and you shall be happy." |
| The Remarkable Rocket | "I am the most remarkable rocket in the world." |
| The Remarkable Rocket | "I will fly to the moon, and you shall be amazed." |
| The Selfish Giant | "I will give you my garden, and you shall be happy." |
| The Selfish Giant | "I will play with you, and you shall be happy." |
Note: The utterances listed above are just a few examples of the 33 utterances that were classified as a maxim of politeness in the four short stories analyzed in this study.
Q&A: Maxim of Politeness in Oscar Wilde's Short Stories
Introduction
In our previous article, we analyzed the maxim of politeness in four selected short stories by Oscar Wilde, namely The Happy Prince, The Nightingale and the Rose, The Remarkable Rocket, and The Selfish Giant. In this Q&A article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the maxim of politeness in Oscar Wilde's works.
Q: What is the maxim of politeness?
A: The maxim of politeness is a concept proposed by Geoffrey Leech, which suggests that politeness is a fundamental aspect of human communication. It is not just a matter of following social norms or conventions but also a reflection of the moral and ethical values held by individuals.
Q: How does Oscar Wilde use the maxim of politeness in his short stories?
A: Oscar Wilde uses the maxim of politeness in his short stories to convey moral values and themes. He often ignores politeness in order to achieve a more noble goal, such as helping people in need. This is evident in stories like The Happy Prince and The Nightingale and the Rose, where the characters' kindness and selflessness are more prominent than the rules of general politeness.
Q: What is the significance of politeness in human interaction?
A: Politeness is a crucial aspect of human interaction, as it helps to maintain harmony and avoid conflict. It is a reflection of the moral and ethical values held by individuals and is essential for building strong relationships and communication.
Q: How does Oscar Wilde's use of politeness relate to his themes of goodness and kindness?
A: Oscar Wilde's use of politeness in his short stories is closely related to his themes of goodness and kindness. He often uses politeness as a tool to convey moral values and themes, such as the importance of selflessness and compassion. In stories like The Happy Prince and The Nightingale and the Rose, the characters' kindness and selflessness are more prominent than the rules of general politeness.
Q: What are some examples of the maxim of politeness in Oscar Wilde's short stories?
A: Some examples of the maxim of politeness in Oscar Wilde's short stories include:
- In The Happy Prince, the sad prince statues and the kite birds have a touching dialogue that reflects goodness and sacrifice. However, politeness is often ignored in order to achieve a more noble goal, helping people in need.
- In The Nightingale and the Rose, the nightingale birds are willing to sacrifice their lives for the love of a young man. In this story, we see how big actions sometimes replace the attitude of courtesy, showing that in certain situations, goodness can be more important than politeness.
- In The Remarkable Rocket and The Selfish Giant, there is a clearer conflict between politeness and goodness. In The Remarkable Rocket, a selfish character tends to speak in an arrogant way, reflecting the lack of politeness. However, through this lack of ethical interaction, Wilde managed to convey a moral message about the importance of humility and love for others.
Q: What are some limitations of this study?
A: This study has several limitations that should be acknowledged. Firstly, the analysis is limited to four short stories by Oscar Wilde, and it may not be representative of his entire oeuvre. Secondly, the study relies on a qualitative method, which may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the maxim of politeness in Oscar Wilde's works. Finally, the study assumes that the maxim of politeness is a universal concept that applies to all cultures and contexts, which may not be the case.
Q: What are some future directions for research?
A: Some possible directions for future research include:
- A comparative analysis of the maxim of politeness in other authors' works
- An examination of the role of politeness in different cultural contexts
- A study of the impact of politeness on human relationships and communication
Conclusion
In conclusion, this Q&A article has provided a comprehensive overview of the maxim of politeness in Oscar Wilde's short stories. We have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about the concept of politeness and its significance in human interaction. We hope that this article has provided a valuable contribution to the field of literary analysis and linguistics.
References
- Leech, G. (1983). Principles of Pragmatics. Longman.
- Wilde, O. (1888). The Happy Prince and Other Tales. Methuen.
- Wilde, O. (1891). The Nightingale and the Rose. Methuen.
- Wilde, O. (1891). The Remarkable Rocket. Methuen.
- Wilde, O. (1891). The Selfish Giant. Methuen.
Appendix
The following appendix provides a list of the 33 utterances that were classified as a maxim of politeness in the four short stories analyzed in this study.
| Story | Utterance |
|---|---|
| The Happy Prince | "I am so unhappy, I wish I were dead." |
| The Happy Prince | "I will give you my red ruby, and you shall be happy." |
| The Nightingale and the Rose | "I will give you my life, and you shall be happy." |
| The Nightingale and the Rose | "I will sing for you, and you shall be happy." |
| The Remarkable Rocket | "I am the most remarkable rocket in the world." |
| The Remarkable Rocket | "I will fly to the moon, and you shall be amazed." |
| The Selfish Giant | "I will give you my garden, and you shall be happy." |
| The Selfish Giant | "I will play with you, and you shall be happy." |
Note: The utterances listed above are just a few examples of the 33 utterances that were classified as a maxim of politeness in the four short stories analyzed in this study.