In this datum, Grim violates the maxim of manner. As seen in the datum above, h
is utterance is the answer to Fowler’s question “Totty?” Here, Grim also
uses certain uncommon expression to answer Fowler’s question Birds, bints, anything in a skirt- barring a Scotsman
. However, Fowler still does not understand Grim’s utterance. It causes the silence again between two speakers
since Fowler does not take his turn in the next part. Finally, Grim takes the next part, revises, and explains again his statement i
n order to avoid the silence “He’s a ladies’ man”. In this case, Grim violates the maxim of manner because he uses
certain uncommon expressions in his utterance which cause Fowler confused.
B. The humorous situation created from the violations of maxim
In this part, the writer uses the humor theories to explain how the violation of conversational maxims can create the humorous situation in this TV-series. The
writer finds three ways how the violations of conversational maxims creating the humorous situation. The ways are: by making the incongruity meaning or idea
between the audiences expect and what actually happens in conversation, by making the feeling of hostility from some persons or communities to others, and
by making one person feels liberated talking about taboo topics.
1. By making the incongruent meaning or idea between the audiences’
expectation and what actually happens in the conversation
In this thesis, there are 30 data of violations of conversational maxims which use this way in creating the humorous situation. Most of this way can be
found in the violations of conversational maxims of manner. There is one data which contains two ways.
a. Violations of Conversational Maxims of Quantity
In this maxim, the writer finds 6 violations of conversational maxims of quantity which use this way in creating the humorous situation. Here, the writer highlights
one of them, while the rest of data can be seen in the appendix 2:
This conversation happens in Fowler’s bedroom when Fowler tells Dawkins that he kisses Habib, one of his members in the group quiz. Actually, he
kisses Habib as his expression of happiness since his group can win the quiz. However, Dawkins feels jealous after hearing about that. She thinks that Fowler
has special relationship with Dawkins. Therefore, she asks “So you kissed Maggie Habib?” in her jealous face. However, Fowler does not pay attention with
Dawkins’ feeling because he is still thinking about his victory in the pub quiz. It can be seen in his answer that he says “yes” and continues talking that he also
kisses Kray one of his members in the quiz group. Then, he sings and dances as his joyful expression. He also utters how much this quiz means to him. Here,
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... ¶n¶ 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.
Fowler is insensitive with Dawkins’ feeling since he is too happy for his victory in the pub quiz.
In this datum, the violation of maxim of quantity occurs because the speaker Fowler gives unnecessary information to the listener Dawkins. The
unnecessary information is Fowler also kisses Kray and tells about the quiz. Even, Fowler is also dancing and singing in responding Dawkins’ question. In fact,
Dawkins only asks whether Fowler kisses Habib or not. The answer should be yes or not.
In order to explain how the violation of maxim of quantity creates the humorous situation, the writer uses the incongruity theory to analyze it. Related
with the incongruity theory, the humour occurs because there are different meanings or ideas between the audiences’ expectation and what actually happens
in the conversation. In the beginning, the audiences expect the speaker Fowler will answer yes or no since Dawkins only asks whether he kisses Habib or not. In
fact, Fowler answers yes. However, he continues his utterance that he also kisses Kray and tells about the quiz that is not needed in answering Dawkins’ question.
Even, he is also dancing and singing to express his glory because he wins the quiz. It is seen that Fowler violates the maxim of quantity because he gives the
unnecessary information. This unnecessary information is not expected by the audiences. This unexpectation shows Fowler’s ridiculous behavior because he
does not pay attention t o Dawkins’ feeling. His ridiculous behavior causes the
conflict meanings between the audiences’ expectation and what actually happens. Here, the audiences expect that Fowler understands Dawkins’ feeling and will
calm her down. However, the fact is Fowler d oes not pay to Dawkins’ feeling and
would like to talk about the quiz. These conflict meanings create the incongruity that evokes the laughter finally.
b. Violations of Conversational Maxims of Quality
In this maxim, the writer finds 7 violations of conversational maxims of quality which use this way in creating the humorous situation. Here, the writer highlights
one of them, while the rest of data can be found inthe appendix 2:
The setting of the conversation is in Fowler’s bedroom. Fowler has just
come back from the pub quiz. Then, he admires about Habib, one of his member in his group quiz, who can answer the names of all a gorilla’s vertebrae. It makes
his group win in the quiz. In other side, Dawkins, as his girlfriend, feels jealous because Fowler keeps admiring Habib. She is also wanted to be admired as his
Data Nu.
Line Nu.
Name Dialogue
5. 19.
DAWKINS jealous, with the flat sound So you kissed Maggie Habib.
20. FOWLER
Yes. I cant tell you how wonderful she was
21. DAWKINS
staring to Fowler jealous Well, dont
22. FOWLER
He feels enthusiasm to continue the story It was all down to the last question, you see? Id been stumped on the name of the
chancellor In the Israelis second administration..........Would you believe it? Mr. Thickey or what? That oaf Kray had gone
completely to pieces over the 1932 soviet discus team. Frankly, things were looking pretty bleak....until Habib, dear, beautiful,
admiring with rising intonation clever little constable Habib pulled off a stunning coup by knowing the names of all a
gorillas vertebrae. admiring What a woman, what a woman
23. FOWLER
Patricia Dawkins starts crying slowly, but she turns away her face from Raymond
astonished Darling, what? Whats the matter?
24. DAWKINS crying Nothing. Really, its nothing.
25. FOWLER
Oh, thats all right then. I thought you were upset or something. Im going to brush my teeth.
girlfriend. Therefore, she feels sad and starts crying. Fowler is astonished when he sees Dawkins’ face is upset and sad. Then, he asks what the matter was. However,
Dawkins does not tell her feeling explicitly. She rather says nothing. Here, Fowler does not pay attention to Dawkins’ feeling. Therefore, he thinks everything is all
right and he can brush his teeth without realize Dawkins’ truthful feeling. In this datum, the violation of maxim of quality occurs because the
speaker Dawkins does not tell the truth in her utterance and causes the listener does not realize the intended meaning. Here, Dawkins does not tell that she is
upset and jealous because Fowler kisses Habib. Therefore, she cries. However, she rather says that it is nothing when Fowler asks her “Darling, what’s the
matter?” Dawkins chooses to tell the implied meaning. In order to explain how the violation of maxim of quality creates the
humorous situation, the writer uses the incongruity theory to analyze it. Related with the incongruity theory, the humour occurs because there are different
meanings or ideas between the audiences’ expectation and what actually happens in the conversation. In the beginning, the audiences expect that the speaker
Fowler pays attention to Dawkins’ feeling and calms her down. However, in the conversation, Fowler does not realize that. It is seen in his response “Oh, thats all
right then. I thought you were u pset or something. Im going to brush my teeth”.
Here, the audiences do not expect that will happen. His response shows Fowler’s stupidity in paying attention to Dawkins’ feeling. His stupidity causes the conflict
meanings between the audiences’ expectation and what actually happens. Here, the audiences expect Fowler will pay attention to Dawkins’ feeling and try to
calm her down. In fact, Fowler does not pay attention to Dawkins’ truthful feeling. Even, he goes to brush his teeth. These conflict meanings create the
incongruity that evokes the laughter finally. c.
Violations of Conversational Maxim of Relation In this maxim, the writer finds 8 violations of conversational maxims of relation
which use this way in creating the humorous situation. Here, the writer highlights one of them, while the rest of data can be seen in the appendix 2:
Data Nu.
Line Nu.
Name Dialogue
7. 39.
FOWLER Ah, Kray, fresh from last nights triumph.
looking at Kray’s kebab What are you eating?
40. KRAY
Breakfast, isnt it? beef and onion pie. Do you want a bit? 41.
FOWLER disgusted Beef and onion pie? Spit it out, man Havent
you heard of mad cow disease? 42.
KRAY Come on, sir, no one worries about that anymore.
43. FOWLER
angry, with rising intonation Nobody worries about cricketers chewing gum and spitting anymore, but that
doesnt mean it has ceased to be a national disgrace 44.
KRAY I cant go without my beef.
45. GLADSTONE
Personally, I dont believe all those stories anyway. As far as Im concerned you could get more sense out of a
British cow than you will out of a packet of German sausages.
46. FOWLER
look at Gladstoneconfused Very possibly, but the final of the pub quiz is only a week away. We can take no chances.
From now on, I suggest you eat only fish, preferably raw. Seafood is brain food.
This conversation happens in Gasforth Police Station when Fowler sees Kray is eating beef and onion pie. Fowler does not
like Kray’s breakfast since he thinks beef is made of the cow’s disease. During that time, the cow was dangerous
to eat in Britain. The government forbade the citizens to eat the beef or anything made of the cow’s meat. Nowadays, the beef is safety for all citizens. However,
only Fowler thinks that the beef is still dangerous to eat. Even, he emphasizes that everybody should be aware with this disease though it has gone. Kray utters that
he cannot have breakfast without the beef. Suddenly, Gladstone responds Fowler’s statement. However, he says about the sense of British cow is better than
the German sausages. This thing is not related with Fowler’s utterance about the cow disease in Britain.
The context of this conversation is about Kray’s bad habit of eating beef, not about the sense between British cow and German sausages.
In this datum, the violation of maxim of relation occurs because the speaker’s utterance Gladstone is not related with the context of conversation.
Here, Fowler is talking about the dangerous of eating the beef because of the cow disease in British. However, suddenly Gladstone responds it by comparing the
sense of British cow is better than the packet of German sausages. In order to explain how the violation of maxim of relation creates the
humorous situation, the writer uses the incongruity theory to analyze it. Related with the incongruity theory, the humour occurs because there are different
meanings or ideas between the audiences’ expectation and what actually happens in the conversation. In the beginning, the audiences expect Gladstone will say
something which is related with the cow disease. In fact, the audiences do not expect that Gladstone will talk about the sense of British cow is better than the
packet of German sausages. It shows that Gladstone violates the maxim of relation because his utterance is not related with Fowler’s meaning. His unrelated
utterance is not expected by the audiences. This unexpectation shows Gladstone’s ridiculous behavior because he does not pa
y attention to Fowler’s words. It makes
him looks fool or stupid since his utterance is not related during the conversation. In this case, the humour occurs because of Gladstone’s stupidity. His stupidity
causes the conflict meanings between the audiences’ expectation and what actually happens. The audiences expect Gladstone will talk something which is
related with the cow disease. In fact, Gladstone compares the British cow and the sense of German sausages. These conflict meanings create the incongruity that
evokes the laughter finally. d.
Violations of Conversational Maxims of Manner
In this maxim, the writer finds 9 violations of maxim of manner which use this way in creating the humorous situation. Here, the writer highlights one of them,
while the rest of data can be seen in the appendix 2:
Data Nu.
Line Nu.
Name Dialogue
10. 51.
GRIM Ive got a tough job on, and I need your cooperation. Now its
pretty urgent, so I wont beat about the proverbial privet.his face shows he is very busy and looks in hurry Frankly, Im too busy
a man to be cluck-clucking away like a decapitated feathered fowl, so Ill get straight to the point.
52. FOWLER
I’m delighted to hear it.
This conversation happens in Gasforth Police Station between Grim and Fowler. Here, Grim utters that he is in hurry so he will talk something to the
point. However, he still uses certain uncommon expressions in his utterance. It causes his intention is not clear and understood by Fowler.
In this datum, the violation of maxim of manner occurs because Grim ’s
utterance is not clear and causes Fowler is confused. In Grim’s utterance, he says
that he is busy and has no time to use proverbs. However, he keeps using proverbs in his next utterance. It causes Fowler confused and cannot get the point.
In order to explain how the violation of maxim of manner creates the humorous situation, the writer uses the incongruity theory to analyze it. Related
with the incongruity theory, the humour occurs because there are different meanings or ideas between the audiences’ expectation and what actually happens
in the conversation.In the beginning, the audiences expect Grim will talk to the point what he needs. However, the audiences do not expect that Grim still uses
proverbs in his utterance and does not talk the main point. It makes his utterance is obscure. It is difficult to be understood by Fowler what he is talking about. It
shows Grim violates the maxim of manner. This unexpectation shows Grim’s
ridiculous behavior because he fails in giving the clear information. His fault makes him looks fool or stupid. In this case, the humour occurs because of Grim’s
stupidity. His stupidity causes the conflict meanings between the audiences expect, and what actually happens. Here, the audiences expect that Grim will talk
straight to the point since he has said that he is in hurry. However, the fact is he still uses proverb in his utterance. It causes Fowler cannot understand his intention
in his utterance. These conflict meanings create the incongruity that evokes the laughter finally.
2. By showing the feeling of hostility from some persons or communities to
