Violations of Maxim of Quantity

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CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS

In this chapter, the writer presents the answers of the problems that have been formulated in chapter one. There are two questions which are discussed in this chapter. First, the writer will deal with the kinds of violations used in The Thin Blue Line Season 1 Episode 3: Honey Trap. Second, the writer will deal with the effect of violation in creating the humorous situation in The Thin Blue Line Season 1 Episode 3: Honey Trap.

A. Violations of Conversational Maxims causing the Humorous Situation

Based on the analysis, there are 34 violations of conversational maxims which cause the humorous situation. Here, the writer will explain each violation:

1. Violations of Maxim of Quantity

Based on the analysis, there are six violations of conversational maxims of quantity found in this TV-series. Here, the writer highlights some of them, while the rest of data can be seen in the appendix 1: Data Nu Line Nu Name Dialogue 3. 17. DAWKINS she is still upset and jealous So you kissed Maggie Habib? 18. FOWLER he is happy and satisfied Yes. I very nearly kissed Constable Kray as well. Loathsome man as he is, he does know the halftime scores of every cup final since 1918. singing and dancing: another one bites the dust...and another one bites, another one bites singing: another one bites the dust jump to the bed Oh, god, you know how much the quiz trophy means to me. Its the only glittering prize Ive ever truly coveted. In this datum, Fowler violates the maxim of quantity. It is seen in the datum above. His utterance is the answer to Dawkins’ question “So you kissed Maggie Habib?” Here, Fowler is expected to give the answer “yes”, but he gives too much information that he kisses Kray too. Dawkins only asks whether she kisses Habib or not. In this case, Fowler gives too much information which is unnecessary to a nswer Dawkins’ question. It makes Fowler violates the maxim of quantity. Data Nu Line Nu Name Dialogue 15. 64. FOWLER looking at Grim suspiciously Are you suggesting an entrapment operation? 65. GRIM trying to convince Fowler Not entrapment, Raymond. Entrapment is, as you know, illegal. But blokes drop their guard with girls. They dont think of the consequences. Blimey, weve all done it. You get all stupid with some young lovely and before you know it youre bald, 40, sitting in the car park at Sainsburys home base. Now I want someone with brains. Brains and beauty. In the second datum, Grim violates the maxim of quantity. It can be seen from the datum above. His utterance is the answer to Fowler’s question “Are you suggesting an entrapment operation?” Here, Grim is expected to give the answer “not entrapment” and explain more about his operation, but he gives too much information about his experience with the woman in the past You get all stupid with some young lovely and before you know it youre bald, 40, sitting in the car park at Sainsburys home base . His experience is not needed to answers Fowler’s question. It causes Grim violates the maxim of quantity. Data Nu Line Nu Name Dialogue 27. 164. GRIM shouting Inspector Fowler We are discussing a dangerous operation Youre on duty, man, pull yourself together. 165. FOWLER feeling guilty Im sorry, youre quite right. I will not mention the quiz again...except to say that victory will bring honor to the whole station. Honor... And a big cup Big shiny cup Not that one covets such trinkets, of course. But a cup that this pathetic alcoholic, this sad, raddled, beer-soaked dipsomaniac, who will no doubt arrive at the final mounted on a pink elephant, chooses to put at risk — 166. GRIM shouting louder FOWLER In this datum, Fowler violates the maxim of quantity. As seen in the datum above, his utterance actually is the apology statement for Grim because he disturbs the operation discussion by talking the quiz and Kray’s bad habit. In the beginning of conversation, Grim and Fowler is talking about the entrapment operation seriously at the police station. However, the topic changes to the quiz when Kray, one of the members of Fowler’s quiz group, comes and join with them. It happens because Kray has just drunk alcohol. Fowler does not like Kray drinks alcohol because it will make Kray thinks slower to answer the quiz questions. On the other hand, Grim is upset because Fowler does not focus to their talking. It can be seen in Grim’s reply “Inspector Fowler We are discussing a dangerous operation Youre on duty, man, pull yourself together”. Here, Fowler is expected to give the apology and does not say again about the quiz, and concern to the entrapment operation since they are in the middle of discussion about the entrapment operation. In his reply, he asks the apology first, but he continues talking about the quiz and offends Kray’s habit of drunk. It causes Grim is very angry because Fowler does not focus on the entrapment operation. In this case, Fowler violates the maxim of quantity because he talks too much about the quiz and Kra y’s bad habit, and causes Grim is angry.

1. Violations of Conversational Maxims of Quality