Directive The Types of Illocutionary Act Performed by the Main Characters in Alan
The above dialogue occurred when Zoe visited Stan’s room. They were going to have sex when Zoe suddenly became sleepy. Stan asked her whether she was hung
over or not. Zoe then answered that she needed ten minutes nap. In reference to this context, since Zoe’s utterance is imperative and it consists of a request, therefore it is
identified as requesting. Another requesting performed by the main character is presented below.
The above dialogue took place when Zoe and Stan were having a date. Both of them had a thing to say to each other. Each of them wanted to tell something and Stan
requested to be the first to say. In regard with this context, since Stan’s utterance is a question which contains a request, it is identified as requesting.
3 Commanding
Commanding is an act to tell somebody to do something. The speaker commands someone to do what he or she wants. The example of commanding performed by the
main character is provided below. 4: 28
Zoe : There’s something I have to tell you.
Stan : There’s something I have to tell you, too.
Stan : Can I go first?
P: Zoe and Stan S: Stan’s room, day
IAS-19P53D-40aDiCP
The above dialogue happened at Gray Papaya Hot Dog when Zoe and Stan were having dinner. Since Stan kept on talking and did not eat his food, Zoe commanded
him to take a bite of his hot dog. With regard to this context, since Zoe’s utterance is a command which contains a force to make Stan eat his food, it is identified as
commanding. Another example of commanding can be seen in the conversation below.
The above dialogue happened after Zoe told Stan the news about her pregnancy.
Since he was shocked, Stan asserted to Zoe about the fact that she was pregnant. Zoe then responded his utterance by commanding him to not saying it that way. In
reference to this context, Zoe’s utterance is identified as commanding since it is an 4: 29
Stan : We could have gone anywhere.
Zoe : Just take a bite. You’ll see.
Stan : Per Se, Jean Gorges, Nobu…
P: Zoe and Stan S: Gray’s Papaya Hot Dogs, night
IAS-8P24D-18bDiCP
4: 30 Stan
: I just told you I loved you. Zoe
: Well, do you not now? Stan
: You’re pregnant. Zoe
: Don’t say it like that.
P: Zoe and Stan S: Stan’s bathroom, night
IAS-20P56D-48eDiCP
imperative sentence which contains a command. The dialogue provided below also contains commanding performed by the main character.
The above dialogue occurred when Zoe and Stan were on their way to witness the birth delivery at Lori’s apartment. Stan attempted to accompany her into the
apartment but Zoe commanded him to go home. In regard with this context, since Zoe’s utterance is an imperative sentence which contains a command, therefore it is
identified as commanding.
4 Advising
Advising is an act to give someone an advice. Datum presented below is the example of advising performed by the main character in the movie.
4: 31 Stan : I’m confused. Why did you say you would come witness this birth in
the first place? Zoe : I don’t know. Seemed like a good idea at the time. I was trying to get
back in their good graces. Go home. I’ll meet you there. I don’t want them to see you anyway.
Stan : It’s four in the morning. I’m not letting you walk home alone. P: Zoe and Stan
S: Lori’s apartment building lobby, night IAS-30P84D-63dDiCP
4: 32 Stan : Actually, if we’re being technical, you kind of stole it.
Zoe
: I don’t think so. Stan : If you see someone about to get in a cab, you can’t just run in from
the other side and say it’s yours.
Zoe : I didn’t see you.
P: Zoe and Stan S: Inside a taxi, day
IAS-1P8D-3aDiCP
The above dialogue happened inside a cab when Zoe and Stan were arguing about the person who saw the cab first. In regard with this context, Stan’s utterance is
identified as advising since it is a statement which contains his advice to Zoe. The following dialogue shows other examples of advising.
The above dialogue took place at Union Square Subway when Zoe and Stan were going to separate. Zoe advised Stan to not steal anymore cab. Stan then responded her
question by advising her to do the same thing. With regard to this context, since Stan and Zoe’s utterances as shown in the bold expressions are imperative sentences which
contain advices, they are identified as advising.
5 Wishing
Wishing is an act to hope or express hope for another persons success, happiness, or pleasure on a particular occasion. There are only two findings of wishing
performed by the main characters. They are presented as follows. 4: 33
Stan : That’s nice, I hope it continues.
Zoe : Thanks. Well, have a nice life. Try to not steal anymore cabs.
Stan : You do the same.
P: Zoe and Stan S: Union Square Subway, day
IAS-4P10D-8dDiCP and IAS-4P10D-8eDiCP
The above dialogue happened when Zoe and Stan were going to separate after the cab argument. Stan wished Zoe that her good things would continue and Zoe
responded it by wishing him a nice life. Wishing conveys hope for someone’s happiness or pleasure in the future. In reference to this context, since Zoe and Stan’s
utterances are imperative sentences which consist of wishes, they are identified as wishing.