Characterization And Power Relations In Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge:A Pragmastylistic Study

This dissertation carries out a pragmastylistic study of Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge by using the General Strategy of Politeness/Impoliteness and turn-taking patterns as the analytical frameworks.In terms of the analysis and interpretation of the(im)politeness strategies and turn features in characters' conversations,it aims to reveal characterization and power relations in this play,and further to discover the underlying reasons for plot developments,dramatic conflicts and the cause of tragedy.Specifically,this study explores characters' personality traits via the General Strategy of Politeness/Impoliteness.In concrete communicative contexts,the application of various positive(im)politeness strategies and negative(im)politeness strategies indicates the change or diversity of characters' personalities.In addition,it examines the dynamic power relations between/among characters by way of the adjusted turn-taking patterns.Power dynamics of characters can be reflected in the shifts of four aspects in turn-taking,namely,turn construction,turn allocation,turn grab and turn sequencing,in particular contexts.This study combines the qualitative method and the quantitative method.The qualitative research is used to explore characterization in this play.It expatiates on characterization by way of the analysis of representative extracts in this play.The quantitative research is applied to analyze power relations between/among characters.It uncovers the changes of characters' power relations by means of the statistical analysis of their different turn-taking patterns in large stretches of conversations.The mixed methods used in this study can achieve specific descriptions and sufficient explanations,and lend weight to its research results.This study finds that various kinds of(im)politeness strategies exploited by characters are of vital importance in the manifestation of their round personality traits.In conjugal relationship,Eddie fully shows his complex characters,ranging from gentleness to self-righteousness,indifference and then to inflexibility.By contrast,Beatrice presents many layers of her nice personality,such as responsibility and tolerance.In uncle-niece relationship,Eddie's characters change from strictness and sensitiveness to selfishness,imperiousness and hypocrisy.However,Catherine's characters change from obedience to rebellion.In aunt-niece relationship,Beatrice has wise and devoted characters,whereas Catherine's characters vary from innocence to roughness.In love relationship,Catherine displays her considerate character.Likewise,sincerity and kindness are indicative of Rodolpho's characters.In host-guest relationship,Eddie's characters change from generosity to brutality and desperation in his conversations with Marco.Besides,Eddie shows his arrogance and aggressiveness in his conversations with Rodolpho.In contrast,Marco's characters shift from seriousness to impulsiveness,while Rodolpho's turn from naivety to recklessness and then to maturity.What's more,this study shows that characters' dynamic power relations are manifested in the changing turn-taking patterns in their conversations.In two-party interactions,Eddie's absolute authority is consecutively undermined in the power relations between him and Catherine,although he is always in the dominant position.With reference to the power relations between Eddie and Beatrice,Eddie's control over Beatrice is gradually reinforced.The power relations between Beatrice and Catherine change from the former's total manipulation to the latter's continuous challenge.In five-party interactions,at the outset,Eddie is the most powerful character and occupies the first level.Marco,Beatrice and Rodolpho have the second-level power(ranked from the highest to the lowest status).Catherine's power is the most powerless and belongs to the third level.Nevertheless,in the end,the power relations among the five characters have changed significantly.Eddie's power is still at the first level.Yet it is seriously threatened by other characters.The power of Beatrice and Rodolpho belongs to the second level(ranked from the highest to the lowest position).Catherine and Marco possess the third-level power(roughly equivalent).This dissertation provides a new perspective for the study of this play.It not only has used the new theoretical frameworks of(im)politeness to analyze and interpret characterization in a relatively objective,comprehensive and thorough way,but also has investigated the aspect of power relations in this dramatic text,which has not been specifically probed in previous studies,by means of the adjusted turn-taking patterns.This study also interprets the psychological and social factors that affect the five characters' round character and dynamic power relations.In terms of the psychological side,it discovers four factors:(1)Eddie's over-protectiveness towards and incestuous love for Catherine;(2)Eddie's jealous and hostile attitudes towards Rodolpho;(3)Eddie's intolerance of the destruction of his family's integrity;(4)the menaces to Eddie's positive and negative face.The social factors include two sides:(1)Eddie's violation of the law of loyalty in his community;(2)the challenge to Eddie's masculinity and authority.This study holds that characters' manifold personality traits and their dynamic power relations in this play not only push forward the developments of its plots,but also serve as the underlying reasons for family conflicts and the final tragedy.This is a new way to interpret this play.