DISCOURSE ANALYSIS PROJECT:

AN ANALYSIS ON THE FLOUTING OF MAXIMS FOUND IN

MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS.

ZAHIDATUL FATHIAH BT MASKUN

MP121394
 Introduction
• Grice proposes a theory ‘Cooperative
Principles’ where interlocutors follow a set of
maxims to ensure successful communication.
• The Maxims of conversation:
a) Quantity – Be informative as is required.
(No more, no less)
b) Quality – Be truthful
c) Relation – Be relevant
d) Manner – Be clear
• If all of the maxims are being observed, there will be no
additional set of meaning added to the conversation
(Thomas, 1995).

• Non-observance of the maxims:

– Flouting a maxim
– Violating a maxim
– Opting out a maxim
– Infringing a maxim
– Suspending a maxim
 Background of Research
Flouting a maxim :
“A flout occurs when speakers blatantly fails
to observe a maxim, because they want the
hearer to look for a meaning which is different
from the expressed meaning” (Grice, 1975)

► Speaker assumes that the hearer knows that

their words should not be taken at face value
and they can infer the implicit meaning.
 Maxims: Observe and Flout
Observe Flout
Siti: “Well, how do I look?” Siti: “Well, how do I look?”
Amin: “You look lovely.” Amin: “Your shoes are
nice.”

Amin compliments Siti’s Amin is not impressed with

choice of attire. the rest of what Siti is
wearing.
 Research Questions

1) What type of maxims that the characters

in the movie often flout?

2) What are the functions of the flouted

maxims used in the movie?
 Research Objectives

1) To find out the types of maxims flouted in

the movie.

2) To identify the functions of the flouted

maxims in the movie.
 Methodology
Material
 Findings
RQ 1 : What type of maxims that the characters in the movie
often flout?
► There are 60 occurrences of flout of the conversational maxims.

No. of Flouts
33
35
30
25
20 15
15 11
10
5 1
0
Quantity Quality Relation Manner
Instances of the Occurrences of Flouting
Flouted Examples
Maxims

Agent Hill : “When did you become an expert in thermonuclear

Quantity astrophysics?”
Tony : “Last night.”

Nick Fury : “Doctor, thank you for coming.”

Quality Banner : “Thanks for asking nicely.”

Tony : “I'll tell you what. Next building's gonna say 'Potts' on the
tower.”
Relation Pepper : “On the lease.”
Tony : “...Call your mom, can you bunk over?”

Agent Coulson : “Natasha. Barton's been compromised.”

Manner Natasha : “Let m put you on hold.”
RQ 2: What are the functions of the flouted
maxims used in the movie?
Flouting of The Maxim of Quality
 Speakers says something that obviously does not
represent what they think by using:
Non-literal Expression
 Function Example
Non-literal Thor : “You speak of control, yet you court chaos.”
Expression Banner : “That 's his M.O., isn't it? I mean, what are we, a team?
- Metaphors No, no, no. We're a chemical mixture that makes chaos.
- Idioms We're...we're a time-bomb.” (01:09:52 → 01:10:02)

Irony Steve : “You know, you may not be a threat, but you better stop
- Sarcasm pretending to be a hero.”
Tony : “A hero? Like you? You're a laboratory experiment, Rogers.
Everything special about you came out of a bottle!”
(01:10:40 → 01:10:51)
Hyperbole Nick Fury : “Agent Romanoff, could you show Dr. Banner to his
laboratory, please.”
Natasha : “You're gonna love it, Doc. We got all the toys.”
(00:35:50 → 00:36:00)
Banter Pepper : “We’ve got to go wider on the public awareness
campaign. You need to do some press. I’m in DC tomorrow, I'm
working on the zoning for the next three buildings.”
Tony : “Pepper, you're killing me. The moment, remember?
Enjoy the moment.” (00:24:01 → 00:24:11)
Flouting of The Maxim of Quantity
 Speakers deliberately give too much or too little
information than is needed within a conversation.
 Function Example
Withholding Banner : “And your actress buddy, is she a spy too? Do they
Information start that young?”

Natasha : “I did.” (00:16:57 → 00:17:03)

Stressing Loki : “I don't threaten, but until I open the doors, until your
Something force is mine to command, you are but words.”

The Other : “You will have your war, Asgardian. If you fail, if the
Tesseract is kept from us, there will be no realm, no barren
moon, no crevice where he can't find you. You think you know
pain? He will make you long for something as sweet as pain.”
(00:30:45 → 00:31:31)

Commenting Banner : “So, this all seems horrible.”

Something
Natasha : “I've seen worse.”

Banner : “Sorry.” (01:50:57 → 01:51:04)

Flouting of The Maxim of Relation
 Speaker expects the hearer to be able to imagine what
the utterance did not say and make the connection
between their utterance and the preceding one.
 Function Example
Give Hints Tony : “That stator control unit can reverse the polarity long
enough to disengage maglev and that could-”

Steve : “Speak English!” (01:18:00 → 01:18:06)

Change Topic Tony : “I'll tell you what. Next building's gonna say 'Potts' on
the tower.”

Pepper : “On the lease..”

Tony : “...Call your mom, can you bunk over?”

(00:25:00 → 00:25:40)

Mock Thor : “You have no idea what you're dealing with.”

Tony : “Shakespeare in the park? Doth mother know you wear-

eth her drapes?”
(00:47:17 → 00:47:33)
Flouting of The Maxim of Manner
 Speakers who flout this maxim, appearing to
be obscure, are often trying to exclude a third
party.

Function Example
Be obscure Agent Coulson : “Natasha. Barton's been compromised.”

Natasha : “Let me put you on hold.”

(00:14:07 → 00:14:17)
 Conclusion
• Maxims of quality and quantity were flouted
more often than the maxims of relation and
manner.
• The characters flout maxims of quality when
using non-literal expression like metaphors
and idioms during conversation.