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Grice's Cooperative Principle
Task C - The Importance of Being Earnest again
As with the previous task, you need to decide for
Algernon's final speech in the extract below (1) what maxim(s) have been
broken, (2) whether the break constitutes a violation or a flout and what
the general interpretative consequences are:
[Context: Algernon has just told his friend Jack that he has invented
another friend, called Bunbury. Whenever Algernon wants to get out of
a social engagement he conveniently pretends that Bunbury is ill, and
that he must visit him. Then, a little later, Lady Bracknell arrives and
reminds him that he is invited to dinner with her that evening.]
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Algernon:
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I am afraid, Aunt Augusta, I shall have to give up the pleasure
of dining with you tonight after all.
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Lady Bracknell:
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(frowning) I hope not, Algernon. It would put my table completely
out. Your uncle would have to dine upstairs. Fortunately he is accustomed
to that.
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Algernon:
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It is a great bore, and, I need hardly say, a terrible disappointment
to me, but the fact is that I have just had a telegram to say that
my poor friend Bunbury is very ill again. (Exchanges glances with
Jack.) They seem to think I should be with him.
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(Oscar Wilde  ,
The Importance of Being Earnest, Act 1)
Our answer
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