Typology of performatives

– special messages and affirmations: “I declare the existence of an impediment!”

– confessions: “I admit that I am afraid.”

– promises: “I promise you that”; “It is true, I swear it, she is now living at Thornfield.”

– requests: “I request and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment why you may not lawfully be joined in matrimony, ye do now confess it.

– suggestions and pieces of advice: “I advise you not to leave so soon.”

– warnings and prophecy: “I feel, I foretell the disaster.”

– demands and orders: “I tell you, Jane, and you must believe me and take confidence.”;

“Edwards, I insist on your holding your head up.”

– prohibitions and permissions: “I allow you to read anything but sermons.”

– approval:“ I approve of your behaviour.”

– blames: “I blame you for your decision.”

– forgiveness: “I do forgive you, with my whole heart.”

– speech rituals:“I welcome you, Bessie.”

– naming and appointing:“I name you my wife.”

1. Typology of speech genres:

In the film there dominate four main types of speech genres: a talk, a conversation, an argument and a narration.

1. A narration: MRS. FAIRFAX

I ran into the nursery and wrapped

Adele in a shawl and carried her

down. Then as we came out into the

courtyard, I heard her laugh again.

I looked up and there she was on

the roof, laughing and waving her

arms above the battlements.

(she pauses)

Mr. Edward saw her when he came

out.

The given extract is a narration. It has a form of a monologue within a dialogue and the theme of the narration is the events that happened to the narrator.

2. A conversation: ROCHESTER

Where are you going?

JANE

It's time for Adele's lessons.

ROCHESTER

No, young lady, it's not for Adele

that you're going.

It's because you are afraid of me.

You wish to escape me. Isn't that

true?

JANE

You are in the wrong , sir.

ROCHESTER

In my presence you are hesitant to

smile gaily or speak too freely.

Admit that you are afraid.

The given extract is a convesation. In comparison with a talk, a conversation always has some definite purpose. In this conversation Rochester seeks an explanation of Jane’s behaviour. He wants her to admit that she has some romantic feelings towards him.

3. A talk: MAN'S VOICE

A quart of red wine - that's the

secret of good digestion.

WOMAN'S VOICE

Green plush and ostrich feathers -

the most exquisite bonnet you ever

set eyes on.

COLONEL DENT'S VOICE

So I let them have both barrels ——

bang, bang. Then got two more birds

with my spare gun.

The given extract is a talk. It consists of an aimless exchange of thoughts between three people.

4. An argument: JANE

(violently)

That isn't true!

MRS. REED

Jane!

JANE

He hit me first.

MRS. REED

Silence! John, dear, did you strike

her first?

JOHN

(lying)

No indeed, Mama.

JANE

You did, you know you did. You

knocked me down and cut my head and

made it bleed!

. JOHN

I did not!

JANE

You did! You did! You did!

MRS. REED

Silence!

(to Jane)

I won't listen to your odious lies.

The given dialogue is an argument. Mrs. Reed wants to find out who is to blame for the fight. John is an ill- bred, lying boy. He has no love or respect for Jenny and turns this argument into a squabble.

12. The components of a speech act:

1. Locution. Examples:

– Don't bully the child.

– You’ve never been a seamstress.

– Mrs. Reed wants you in the drawing room.

2. Illocution. Examples:

– He advised me not to answer back.

– She warned me that that girl was a liar.

– Mr. Rochester asked me to explain the reason of my leave.

3. Perlocution. Examples:

– Her words annoyed me.

– Rochester stopped his hourse.

– You made me change my idea of women.

Classification of speech acts (Searle, 1979):

1. Representatives. Examples:

– We don't want no vagabonds here.

– My name is Jane Eyre.

– This, Mr. Brocklehurst, is the child in question.

– She is the daughter of my late husband’s sister.

– They go to Hell.

1. Expressives. Examples:

– Thank you, Bessie.

– Oh, I'm so glad.

– Good-day to you, gentlemen!

– Devil take it!

– I’m sorry if I frightened your horse.

1. Directives. Examples:

– Wait a minute!

– Come on out, Jane Eyre.

– Go on, knock!

– Come here, little girl.

– Silence!

4. Commissives: Examples:

– I’ll never call you Aunt as long as I live.

– And, I'll think of you all the time, I really will, Helen.

– I'll never go back.

– I'll marry you.

– I promise you that.

5. Declarations. Examples:

– You become my wife.

– I forgive you.

– You sentence me to sufferings.

– I appoint you a teacher.

– I grant your feet in the path of salvation.

1. The classification of speech personalities (according to S. Sukhykh):

1. Harmonious type. The example of a harmonious type may serve Jane Eyre for as a rule she speaks in a logical and coherent way, keeps to the social schemes and norms, doesn’t strive to become a communicative leader and adheres to the principle of cooperation. We can illustrate this on the basis of the Dialogue 70.

JANE

I'm sorry if I frightened your

horse.

ROCHESTER

Apologies won't mend my ankle.

What are you waiting for now?

JANE

I can't think of leaving you till I

see you are fit to ride.

ROCHESTER

(looks at her)

Hmm. You've a will of your own.

Where do you come from?

JANE

From Mr. Rochester's house just

below.

ROCHESTER

You know Mr. Rochester?

JANE

No, I have never seen him.

ROCHESTER

You are not a servant at the

Hall... You are -—

JANE

I am the new governess.

ROCHESTER

Oh -- the new governess...

ROCHESTER

Well... necessity compels me to

make you useful.

ROCHESTER

Now, just hand me my whip.

Jane stoops down, and after a moment straightens up with the

whip in her hand. She hands it to him.

ROCHESTER

Thank you. Now kindly get out of my

way.

Though Rochester is rather rude, especially taking into account that he is speaking to the unknown young lady, Jane is calm, confident and helpful.

2. Conflict type. Mr. Brocklehurst can serve as a vivid example of a conflict type. He is rude, impulsive, ironical, sarcastic and deviates from social norms. We can illustrate this on the basis of the Dialogue 71.

JANE

I cannot accept your offer, sir.

BROCKLEHURST

And why not, pray?

JANE

I do not wish to stay at Lowood.

BROCKLEHURST

This is unheard of. The

ingratitude, the black ingratitude.

JANE

What have I to be grateful for? Ten

years of harshness and drudgery...-

BROCKLEHURST

(interrupting)

Silence!

BROCKLEHURST

Stiff—necked as ever. I see that I

have been sadly deceived in you.

BROCKLEHURST

And where may I ask, do you intend

to go?

JANE

Out into the world, sir.

BROCKLEHURST

(sarcastically smiling)

Out into the world.

(with a sharpening of his

tone)

And do you know how the world

treats young paupers, without

friends or connections?

JANE

I intend to find a position as a

governess.

BROCKLEHURST

How, may I ask?

JANE

I have advertised in a newspaper.

BROCKLEHURST

(dryly)

And doubtless you have been

overwhelmed with demands for your

services?

JANE

No, sir.

BROCKLEHURST

(smiling triumphantly)

And you never will be. You have no

talents, your disposition is dark

and rebellious, your appearance is

insignificant. It is folly to dream

of such a position.

3.Impulsive type.Mr. Rochester can be characterized as an impulsive type. He strives to dominate in the communication though other participants cannot easily influence him. We can illustrate this on the basis of the Dialogue 72.

ROCHESTER

Well, Miss Eyre, have you no

tongue?

JANE

I was waiting, sir, until I was

spoken to.

ROCHESTER

Very proper. And next time you see

a man on a horse, don't run out

into the road until he has passed.

JANE

I assure you, sir, it was not

deliberate.

ROCHESTER

It may not have been deliberate but

it is none the less painful.

ROCHESTER

Miss Eyre, where do you come from?

JANE

From Lowood Institution, sir.

ROCHESTER

And your home?

JANE

I have no home.

ROCHESTER

Who recommended you to come here?

JANE

I advertised, and Mrs. Fairfax

answered the advertisement.

ROCHESTER

And you came post haste to be in

time to throw me off my horse!

Well, what did you learn at Lowood?

Can you play the piano?

JANE

A little.

ROCHESTER

Of course; that is the established

answer. Go into the drawing room —-

I mean 'if you please' - excuse my

tone of command, I'm used to saying

"Do this!" and it is done.

We can observe that Jane is obedient and Rochester behaves as if he were annoyed about something, he is used to criticizing and commanding.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 992