Table 3. The Data Findings of Maxim Violation when the Characters are Expressing Positive Politeness Strategies
No Maxim Violation
Frequency Percentage
1 Violation of quantity maxim 2 Violation of quality maxim
5 23.81
3 Violation of relation maxim 12
57.14 4 Violation of manner maxim
4 19.05
TOTAL 21
100
As it is drawn in Table 3, violation of relation maxim is in the highest rank with 12 data out of the 21 data. In other words, out of the total 100, its
percentage is 57.14. It is followed by violation of quality maxim and violation of manner maxim which have the occurrence less than 6 times. Meanwhile, the
phenomenon of violation of quantity maxim is not found in the data of this research. It is because the characters tend to give more information than give less
information. Giving more information will make the characters violate the maxim of manner, while giving less information will make the characters violate the
maxim of quantity. The characters prefer to violate the maxim of manner. Thus, there is no violation of maxim of quantity.
B. Discussion
In this section, the researcher answers the research questions by giving deep explanations using related theories that are previously presented in chapter
II. Besides, this section also presents some examples to support the explanations of positive politeness strategies and maxim violation in Carnage movie.
1. The Positive Politeness Strategies Reflected by the Characters in Carnage
The findings of the research show that all of the positive politeness strategies appear, except the strategy of asserting reciprocal exchange or tit for tat.
In fact, the strategy of noticing, attending to H herhis interests, wants, needs, goods, etc. ranks the highest for the category of the most-often appearing
strategy. On the other hand, the strategies of asserting or presupposing knowledge of and concerning for hearer’s wants and giving or asking for reasons rank the two
lowest for the same category. The explanations as well as examples for each strategy are presented as follows.
a. Noticing, attending to H herhis interests, wants, needs, goods, etc.
It is clearly seen in Table 2 that the most-often appearing phenomenon of positive politeness strategies in Carnage movie belongs to noticing,
attending to H herhis interests, wants, needs, goods, etc. strategy. Among 67 places of occurrence, this strategy appears 11 times. Its percentage is 16.42.
The characters in Carnage use this strategy by noticing to the hearers’
interests, wants, needs, goods, etc. This strategy can be expressed in the form of compliment as seen in the example below.
4:1 Penelope Longstreet : Let them taste it.
Alan Cowan : Very good. Very good.
Alan is eating the cobbler
PPC016 It can be seen in the dialogue above that Alan used the strategy of
noticing, attending to H herhis interests, wants, needs, goods, etc.. As the owner of the house, Penelope and Michael served cobbler to their guests. After
Alan had tasted the cobbler, he said “Very good. Very good.” This statement
indicates that he used this strategy in the form of compliment. He appreciated Penelope and Michael who had made the cobbler and served it to their guests.
Thus, Alan had saved Penelope and Michael’s positive face.
The dialogue below shows the application of this strategy by another character, Nancy Cowan.
4:2 Nancy Cowan : I see youre an art enthusiast. I love Bacon
too. Penelope Longstreet : Oh yes, Bacon.
PPC031 Penelope, Nancy and Alan were standing in the living room. They were
very uncomfortable with the situation there because they could not solve the problem of their sons yet. Therefore, Nancy tried to break the awkward silence.
She leant over and delicately picked up a book featuring the painter, Bacon. She noticed that Penelope was an art enthusiast. By saying
“I see you’re an art enthusiast”, Nancy had saved Penelope’s positive face. Nancy applied the
strategy of noticing, attending to H herhis interests, wants, needs, goods etc. In this case, Nancy noticed that Penelope was a devotee of art.
In addition, another example of the phenomenon that also deals with this strategy is shown in the following datum.
4:3 Nancy Cowan : Im going to throw up.
Alan Cowan : No, youre not.
Nancy Cowan : I am.
Michael Longstreet : You want to use the bathroom?
PPC038
