An Analysis of Flouting Maxims in "The Magician's Elephant" Movie 2023

Abstract

communication to be followed in order to avoid any misinterpretation. This study focuses on four maxims based on Grice’s cooperative principle, given by H.P. Grice in his 1975 theory. The main objective is to find the characters who are flouting the Grice maxims in their conversations or dialogues. Conversational maxims affect our social interaction and flouting of these maxims can lead to false interpretation of intended meaning. This study will enhance better understanding of using maxims in daily life and how one can avoid flouting of these maxims to refrain oneself from being judged on the basis of wrong interpretations. The research is based on the descriptive-qualitative method. The data for this research was taken from the script of the movie. The researchers have collected the data from the movie in the form of dialogue and analysed the four maxims. The findings imply that the maxims are flouted 39 times in the movie. The maxim of quantity was flouted 10 times, or 25%. The maxim of quality was flouted 10 times, or 25%. The maxim of manner was flouted 10 times, or 25%. The maxim of relevance was flouted seven times, or 23%. The most influential maxim flouted is the maxim of quantity. This study reveals that conversations play a vital role in our lives, as it is evident from the results that, due to the flouting of the maxim of quality and quantity, the message was not conveyed in a meaningful way. In order to avoid such ambiguities, one should follow the maxims of Grice to delve into an appropriate conversation.