Probe into the Power Relations in “Counterparts”.docVIP

Probe into the Power Relations in “Counterparts” 　　【Abstract】This article is to explore the characters’ power relations， even Ireland and Britain’s from Cooperative Principle to deeply analyze the dialogues between the hero Farrington and his boss in “Counterparts”.The deeply analysis of the dialogues can help readers better appreciate the author’s stylistic choices. 　　【Key words】Counterparts； Cooperative Principle 　　1. Introduction 　　Under the colonial domination of Britain in the 20th century， the Irish lead a gloomy life. The power relations of characters can also reveal the two countries’， Ireland and Britain’s in “Counterparts”. 　　2. Analysis 　　There are three dialogues between Farrington and his boss at the office， which plays a major part in “Counterparts”. 　　The first dialogue takes place as follows： （1） Come in！ Farrington？ What is the meaning of this？ ...（2）But Mr.Shelley said， sir... In this dialogue， Farringotn is summoned to his boss Mr.Alleyne’s office and is rebuked for not handing in a copy of contract in time. In （1）， Mr. Alleyne’s questions violate the maxim of quantity. Mr.Alleyne makes his contribution more informative than is required， and repeatedly insults Farrington for not finishing the contract. Mr. Alleyne does not show his purpose until the end of the dialogue. The same is true to （3） and （5）. Especially in （3）， Mr. Alleyne interrupts Farrington before he gives a complete answer， which is a blunt act of non-cooperation and also flouts the quantity. The boss can interrupt and disregard the employee， which shows the power relation between them. Faced with the pressing intense questions， Farrington’s answer in （2） obviously flouts the quality. He does not directly answer Mr.Alleyne’s question， he just wants to imply why he cannot finish the copy of contract in time and it is not his fault in order to avoid the clash with his boss. Under a series of Mr. Alleyne’s threatening questions， Farrington gives repetitive direct answers “Ye