Politeness strategies of refusals to marriage proposals found in the novel Pride and Prejudice based on Brown and Levinson’s theory and the factors that contribute to the choice of politeness strategies to such refusals.
INTRODUCTION
Research objectives
From those issues mentioned above, the research was carried out to explore two main targets below:
(1) Politeness Strategies are used in the speech act of refusal to marriage proposals in the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
(2) The influence of sociocultural elements on the choice of politeness strategies to refuse those marriage proposals in the novel Pride and Prejudice.
Research questions
The research explores the intriguing topic of marriage proposals and the nuanced ways to reject them, highlighting the curiosity surrounding rejection strategies It also examines how language choices are influenced by external factors such as socio-cultural elements To achieve these objectives, the study aims to answer key research questions related to the interaction between language use and cultural context in marriage proposal scenarios.
(1) What politeness strategies are utilized by the character in refusals of marriage proposals in the novel Pride and Prejudice?
(2) How are the choices of politeness strategies in those refusals of marriage proposals affected by socio-cultural factors in the novel Pride and Prejudice?
4 Object and scope of research
This study analyzes the politeness strategies used in Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" when Elizabeth Bennet refuses marriage proposals, based on Brown and Levinson's (1987) politeness theory The focus is solely on Elizabeth’s refusal acts, exploring how her responses align with politeness strategies in the context of early 19th-century British society Additionally, the research examines how socio-cultural changes in Britain during that period influence Elizabeth's choice of politeness strategies in marriage proposal refusals This analysis provides insights into the interplay between cultural norms and politeness tactics in historical romantic interactions.
Jane Austen's novel *Pride and Prejudice* has inspired extensive research on culture, society, and history, highlighting its significant theoretical influence This study aims to contribute valuable insights to the ongoing scholarly discourse surrounding Austen's work, particularly in exploring how Brown and Levinson’s politeness theory applies within the novel By adding new perspectives, this research seeks to enrich the understanding of social interactions and politeness strategies portrayed in Austen's timeless classic.
5 theories employed fit within a nearly two-century-old classic Pride and Prejudice novel
This research explores the use of language in social and educational contexts, aiming to understand how language facilitates communication in various settings The author’s goal is to analyze language usage in social interactions within an indigenous country in the early nineteenth century, providing insights into language evolution This study not only enhances understanding of historical language development but also offers valuable implications for improving language teaching and communication strategies in diverse social situations today and in the future.
The study comprises five chapters :
Provides the background of the problem and reasons for the author to do this study in the research such as rationale, research objectives, and significance of the study
Provides the overview of relevant theories to the study that are the framework for the study
Provides the theories and techniques that are utilized to obtain the data and then analyzed the obtained data
Chapter IV Findings and Discussion
Provides the findings and gained data and then discuss
Concludes the result of the study and recommends the solutions or future developments for the realm of the research.
Structure of the thesis
The study comprises five chapters :
Provides the background of the problem and reasons for the author to do this study in the research such as rationale, research objectives, and significance of the study
Provides the overview of relevant theories to the study that are the framework for the study
Provides the theories and techniques that are utilized to obtain the data and then analyzed the obtained data
Chapter IV Findings and Discussion
Provides the findings and gained data and then discuss
Concludes the result of the study and recommends the solutions or future developments for the realm of the research
LITERATURE REVIEW
Overview of relevant theories
Speech Act (SA) is a key area of study focused on how spoken or written words can convey information and perform actions simultaneously Originating in 1975 from Oxford philosopher J.L Austin, SA in linguistics involves utterances that express the speaker’s intentions, such as questions, requests, warnings, or proposals, aimed at influencing listeners’ thoughts and actions Today, SA is applied across diverse fields including linguistics, philosophy, psychology, literature, and even artificial intelligence (AI) It encompasses three stages of utterance: locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts, each playing a vital role in understanding communication.
Refusals are common speech acts used in daily interactions, often delivered either directly or indirectly According to Beebe, Takahashi, and Ulises-Weltz (1990), American English speakers and Japanese EFL learners tend to produce refusals through a formulaic process This process typically includes an expression of remorse, followed by an excuse, highlighting the structured nature of how refusals are communicated across different languages and cultures.
(1) Locutionary acts : The mere step of making linguistic sounds or maks with a certain meaning anf reference (S Nuccetelli and G.Seay)
(2) Illocutionary acts: Then perform a directive information for the hearers, might be an apology, answer to a question, and so on These expressions also convey certain attitude with illocutionary force.
(3) Perlocutionary acts: Finally affect on the hears’ feelings, minds and their actions
Native Japanese speakers and Japanese speakers of English differ in three key areas when formulating refusals: the sequence of semantic components, the frequency of specific expressions, and the content of their utterances While both groups convey similar semantic intentions, Japanese speakers often deliver more vague explanations compared to the detailed responses preferred by Americans According to Searle’s (1979) speech act theory, refusals are classified as Commissives, as they commit the speaker to a future action.
As previously mentioned, there are four categories of refusals: request, offer, suggestion, and invitation
Requests are polite acts of asking for something and can be categorized into four main formats: requesting a favor such as assistance or a loan; seeking permission or agreement; asking for suggestions or information; and requesting specific actions to be taken These different types of requests are essential communication tools that help facilitate understanding and cooperation in various social and professional contexts Using appropriate language and etiquette when making requests ensures clearer communication and better relationships Incorporating these request formats effectively can improve your interpersonal skills and make your interactions more respectful and efficient.
Offers represent acts of willing giving or doing for others, demonstrating generosity and intent They can be expressed in four main ways: offering gifts or presents to show appreciation or affection; offering favors to assist someone in need; offering specific items or resources to fulfill a request; and providing opportunities or chances to help others seize new possibilities These diverse forms of offerings highlight different ways individuals demonstrate their willingness to contribute and support others.
An invitation, whether spoken or written, is an expression that invites someone to participate in an activity or visit a location There are two main types of invitations: genuine invitations, which reflect the speaker’s sincere concern for the listener, and other forms that may serve different purposes Crafting authentic invitations helps foster meaningful connections and encourages positive responses Using clear and polite language in invitations enhances their effectiveness and ensures they are welcoming and considerate.
9 b) Etiquette invitations demonstrate the desire of speakers to establish or maintain a relationship with listeners
A suggestion is an idea or possible plan of action shared for others to consider, serving as a valuable communication tool Suggestions can be categorized into two types: solicited suggestions, which are intentionally requested by the interlocutor, and unsolicited suggestions, offered voluntarily without a prior request Understanding these distinctions helps enhance effective communication and project collaboration.
Based on Beebe et al (1990), refusals are demonstrated in the three main sequences
1 Pre-refusal strategies: Prepared the addresses for upcoming refusals
2 Main refusals – Head Acts: Strategies for main refusals
3 Post-refusal strategies: Conduct tend to emphasize, justify or conclude of refusal response
There is an example of a refusal sequence in the excerpt of Mr Collins’ first marriage proposal to Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice
In Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," the speaker emphasizes their genuine intentions and commitment to their marriage, promising not to make any unfair judgments or negative remarks afterward This excerpt highlights themes of sincerity and mutual respect in marital relationships, which are central to understanding the novel's exploration of social mores and personal integrity.
“Sir, You forget I have given no answer.” (Pride and Prejudice, p.37)
“Accept my thanks for the compliment you are paying me,” (Pride and
“… but is impossible for me to accept your proposal.” (Pride and Prejudice, p 37)
Collins Does not accept > Proposes twice
Table 1: Beebe et al (1990), Three main refusal sequences
A marriage proposal is when one partner asks the other to marry, marking the beginning of the engagement process if accepted This act involves a ritualistic and romantic gesture, signifying a mutual commitment to marry in the future A marriage proposal is fundamentally an offer of a romantic relationship, making it a significant communicative act classified as a Commissive illocutionary act.
Brown and Levinson’s (1987) Politeness Theory explores how politeness functions as a means to restore an individual’s self-esteem by affirming positive social values during interactions This theory emphasizes that effective communication involves minimizing face-threatening acts (FTAs) such as requests or insults, to preserve interpersonal harmony Key concepts include positive and negative face, face-threatening acts, and the strategies used to perform these acts, with various factors influencing the selection of politeness techniques in social interactions.
In the nineteenth century, the concept of "face" was developed in Chinese and later translated into English, gaining significance in social psychology and communication studies Erving Goffman introduced the concepts of "face" and "facework," framing "face" as an individual's assertion of social value during interactions Building on Goffman's ideas, Brown and Levinson's politeness theory categorizes "face" into two types: positive and negative They define positive face as a person's desire for their wishes and desires to be appreciated and approved by others, emphasizing the importance of maintaining social harmony and mutual respect in communication.
A good self-image or personality encompasses both negative and positive face needs Negative face refers to an individual's basic claim to personal territory, rights, and freedom from unwanted interference, emphasizing independence and autonomy In contrast, positive face involves a desire for social connection and interpersonal approval, highlighting the importance of belonging and relationships with others Balancing these aspects is essential for understanding effective communication and maintaining healthy self-esteem.
Brown defined positive face as the need to be liked, appreciated, and affirmed, emphasizing that neglecting someone can threaten this desire, while negative face refers to the wish not to be imposed upon, with impose actions potentially infringing on this aspect Positive face relates to self-esteem, whereas negative face concerns personal autonomy, both representing fundamental social desires Maintaining mutual face requires social participants to collaborate and respect each other's needs to ensure smooth interactions.
According to Brown and Levinson, the concepts of positive and negative face are fundamental components of human interaction and form the core of their politeness theory Face-threatening acts occur when an individual's words or actions, whether verbal or nonverbal, challenge or undermine another person's desires or self-image Such acts can be expressed through speech features like tone and intonation or through nonverbal cues such as facial expressions While face-threatening acts are sometimes unavoidable in social communication, they often require careful management, as they inherently impact the addressee's or speaker's face.
1.6.3 Brown and Levinson’s politeness strategies (1987)
Brown and Levinson’s politeness theory is the foundational framework in the study of politeness strategies Over years of development and cross-cultural research, their theory has become highly influential in understanding social interactions Their model continues to shape contemporary politeness research across diverse cultural contexts.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
This study employs a Descriptive Qualitative Research approach to analyze characters' utterances in the novel, focusing on how they utilize politeness strategies based on Brown and Levinson's (1987) framework to refuse marriage proposals The qualitative analysis involves interpreting dialogue to understand how politeness strategies are employed in different social contexts within the narrative This method provides in-depth insights into the characters’ communicative behaviors and the social dynamics influencing their refusals.
Quantitative Research to sum up and point out the dominant politeness strategy occupied by Elizabeth in refusals to marriage proposals of Collins and Darcy
This study explores how socio-cultural factors influence the choice of politeness strategies in sincere refusals of marriage proposals in Jane Austen's *Pride and Prejudice* Utilizing documentary analysis of qualitative research, the marriage proposal excerpts are coded into transcripts for detailed examination The analysis applies Brown and Levinson’s (1987) Sociological Variables and Nguyen Quang’s Matrix for Intra-cultural and Cross-cultural Communication to interpret the data Furthermore, the study references Lawrence Stone’s *The Family, Sex, and Marriage in England, 1500-1800* to understand the cultural and historical context shaping Elizabeth Bennet’s refusal strategies toward Mr and Mr Darcy, highlighting the significant influence of socio-cultural values on communication behaviors related to marriage proposals.
(1977) to understand the value of influential factors in Elizabeth's refusal strategies toward proposals from Mr Collins and Mr Darcy, respectively
Qualitative Coding: To Gibbs (2007), “coding is a way of indexing or categorizing the text in order to establish a framework of thematic ideas about it.”
Coding in qualitative research is the process of defining what the data—such as text, images, or other data items—are about (Gibbs, 2007) It involves identifying passages or segments within the data, recognizing underlying concepts, and uncovering relationships among these concepts Effective coding goes beyond simple labeling; it is a critical step in analyzing data to reveal meaningful patterns and insights.
Effective data analysis involves connecting data to the research question and relating findings back to other data sources Utilizing coding techniques helps organize and categorize data, allowing for systematic review and analysis By examining code relationships, researchers can identify patterns and insights that enhance understanding and support robust conclusions.
Research data
This study analyzes key dialogues from Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" (1813), focusing on three instances where Elizabeth Bennet refuses marriage proposals from Mr Collins and Mr Darcy Specifically, it examines two refusals from Mr Collins and one from Mr Darcy, highlighting how Elizabeth employs politeness strategies in each conversation These excerpts reveal the nuanced language and social etiquette Elizabeth uses to politely decline these proposals, providing insights into politeness strategies in romantic rejection within 19th-century literature.
Elizabeth refuses Mr Collins’s first proposal
In this excerpt, Mr Collins visits Elizabeth Bennet’s family in the small Hertfordshire village of Longbourge He proposes to Elizabeth Bennet, after her family finishes breakfast, at her house
Elizabeth refuses Mr Collins’s second proposal
Mr Collins proposes to Elizabeth Bennet twice right after she rejects his first proposal in her same room
Elizabeth refuses Mr Darcy’s first proposal
Mr Darcy proposes to Elizabeth Bennet twice, but she refuses him both times Her first rejection occurs at Mr Collins’ house during her visit to her best friend Charlotte After Elizabeth declines Mr Darcy's proposals, Mr Collins ultimately marries Charlotte.
Data collection technique
Read the novel, clarify the marriage proposal conversations
Write down the marriage- proposed refusal excerpts clarified in step 1.
Step 3: Classify the data into the table and chart to analyze the obtained data
Step 1: + Reading the novel several times to understand its length, main plot, characters’ background information and their relationships, the climax of the story, and the ending
+ Clarify three marriage proposals from Mr Collins and Mr Darcy which Elizabeth refuses of them
Step 2: + Write out transcripts of the three excerpts of marriage-proposed refusals clarified in step 1
+ And then, list all of Elizabeth’s refusal statements, and demonstrate each Politeness Strategy to that the obtained refusals belong by the tables
Step 3: + Classify the data into the table and chart to analyze the obtained data based on Brown and Levinson’s politeness strategies (1987) to analyze each refusal statement of Elizabeth.
Research Instrument
This study employs descriptive qualitative research to analyze three marriage proposal excerpts rejected by Elizabeth, providing in-depth insights into her reactions To address the second research question, the author uses qualitative documentary research as the primary instrument, enabling a thorough interpretation of the data to derive meaningful conclusions A detailed chart below illustrates the research instruments employed in this study.
Collect data under 3 marriage proposal excerpts
Perform analysis, interpret what is happening and concluse
Sociological Variables- Brown and Levinson (1987)
Nguyen Quang’s (2004) Matrix for Intra-culture & Cross-cultural Communication
Social distance between S&H Power distance between S&H Levels of Imposition
Participantss relationship Power distance Communicative mood Participants’ temperament Participants’ attitude Communicative topic Communicative form Levels of Imposition Comunicative setting
Data Analysis procedure
Research question 1 analysis: Politeness Strategies used in the speech act of refusals to marriage proposals in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Step 1: + Determining each excerpt in which the character employed politeness strategies in refusing marriage proposals based on Brown and Levinson
Step 2: + Classifying politeness strategies in refusal of marriage proposals in the novel based on Brown and Levinson's (1987)’s polite theories such as
15 Positive Strategies, 10 Negative Strategies, Bald on record, and Off- record
15 Positive Strategies as Brown and Levinson (1987), page 102
10 Negative Strategies as Brown and Levinson (1987), page 131
Research question 2 analysis: How are the choices of politeness strategies in those refusals of marriage proposals affected by socio- cultural factors in Pride and Prejudice?
Step 1: To classify the influent factors on the choice of politeness strategies in marriage-proposed refusal in Pride and Prejudice, the study will mainly refer to the Matrix for Intra-culture & Cross-cultural Communication of Nguyen Quang (2004) And, The Sociological Variables information will be based on the book: “The Family, Sex, and Marriage in England
Step 2: Coding the data from the three excerpts based on Socio-cultural Element
Agents as being classified in step 1 to put them in themes and issues
Step 3: Perform analysis, and interpret what is happening
Step 4: Give the conclusion for the research
This chapter outlines key research methodologies for examining politeness strategies in refusals to marriage proposals, focusing on both descriptive qualitative and quantitative approaches It emphasizes the application of Brown and Levinson’s theories to analyze how individuals employ politeness strategies in these sensitive situations The study combines qualitative insights with quantitative data to provide a comprehensive understanding of politeness behaviors in the context of refusal scenarios.
28 for research question 1 For question 2, this study utilizes the Documentary Analysis of Qualitative Research to code the contents of marriage proposal excerpts into transcripts to discuss
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS
Politeness strategies in refusals to marriage proposals in Pride and Prejudice novel
In Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," the character Elizabeth employs all five politeness strategies proposed by Brown and Levinson (1987) to reject three marriage proposals, illustrating various levels of face threat The analysis reveals that Elizabeth’s refusals follow a hierarchy of face loss risk, ranging from bald-on-record, positive politeness, negative politeness, to off-record strategies, with each method reflecting a different degree of face-threatening act (FTA) avoidance This nuanced use of politeness strategies highlights Elizabeth’s skillful communication in managing social harmony and preserving face during sensitive interactions.
Fig 2: Five politeness strategies by Brown and Levinson (1987)
The following presentation interprets and analyzes how the character Elizabeth in
Pride and Prejudice novel manages politeness strategies analyzed based on Brown and Levinson (1987) in refusals to marriage proposals
With redressive action Negative politeness
Estimations of risk of face lose
According to Brown and Levinson (1987), the Bald-on-record strategy is used when speakers prioritize direct and efficient communication over minimizing face loss, often in situations requiring immediacy or high levels of imposition This approach is common among close acquaintances such as friends, family members, and colleagues, especially in urgent contexts, commands, or imperative statements Examples include greetings, farewells, offers, and task-oriented utterances In Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," Elizabeth Bennet employs the Bald-on-record strategy when refusing marriage proposals from Mr Collins, demonstrating directness in her communication.
There is no clue bald-on record strategy occurs in refusals to marriage proposals in the novel Pride and Prejudice
1.2.1 Strategy 1: Notice, and attend to H (his interests, wants, needs, goods)
This strategy allows S to acknowledge H's conditions, such as changes or possessions H wants S to notice or approve In Mr Collins's initial proposal to Elizabeth, she uses this strategy in her third response to reject his offer, stating, “I hope you very happy and very rich,” signaling her disapproval subtly Notably, this approach is not used when rejecting Mr Darcy's first marriage proposal, indicating its specific application in certain contexts within the novel.
This strategy takes up 6.3% of the occurrences of positive strategy in refusals to marriage proposals in the novel by Elizabeth
1.2.2 Strategy 2: Exaggerate (interest, approval, sympathy with H)
In effective communication, participants often use strategies such as exaggerating intonation, applying stress, and incorporating intensifying modifiers and adverbs to convey heightened emotions These tools, including commonly used intensifiers like "very," "extremely," "absolutely," "really," and "perfectly," help speakers emphasize their feelings and add emotional depth to their messages Utilizing these language features enhances clarity and impact, making communication more expressive and engaging.
In Mr Collins' marriage proposals to Elizabeth, she consistently employs a politeness strategy to emphasize her refusals, notably stating, "I am perfectly serious" (p 37) and asserting, "But to accept your proposal is absolutely impossible" (p 38) However, there is no indication that this politeness approach is used when directly rejecting his proposals.
This strategy also takes up 6.3% of the occurrences of positive strategy in refusals to marriage proposals in the novel by Elizabeth
In this strategy, S shares personal desires and creates engaging stories to capture H’s interest, often using vivid present tense to make the conversation more compelling By pulling H into the heart of the narrative, S enhances H's intrinsic engagement with the discussion For example, S might say, “I stepped out onto the street, and you won’t believe what I saw…” to draw H into the shared experience.
However, there is no occurrence of this strategy employed by Elizabeth to turn down the marriage proposals of Collins and Darcy
1.2.4 Strategy 4: Use in-group identity markers
This strategy takes up the highest frequency of occurrences with 31% of refusals to marriage proposals in the novel by Elizabeth
In the novel, Elizabeth references Mr Collins with respectful titles, calling him "Sir" three times and addressing him as "Mr Collins" during his marriage proposals, highlighting social formalities The use of casual address forms like "mate," "dear," "honey," "Mom," "Dad," "guys," and "fellow" in conversations helps readers understand the relationships and tone between participants Elizabeth calling Mr Collins by his proper name underscores the formal social hierarchy, while informal terms reveal closer or more familiar dynamics within the interactions These address choices are key to analyzing character relationships and social context in the story.
“Sir” to know she tries to keep her relationship with Mr.Collins as formal as possible
Elizabeth used relational address terms, highlighting the importance of respectful communication While “Mr” is a versatile title that can be used to address individuals regardless of their occupation or rank, it does not necessarily convey politeness or respect In contrast, the honorific term “Sir” is considered one of the most polite forms of address, embodying respect and courtesy in cultural interactions Using appropriate address terms like “Sir” enhances politeness and cultural appropriateness in communication.
Therefore, we can see that the honorific “Sir” is employed to soften Mr
Collins’ face when Elizabeth rejects Mr.Collins’ first marriage proposal, but at his
In the second proposal, Elizabeth addresses Mr Collins using the formal title “Mr” to demonstrate her respect and politeness, although her deference toward Collins diminishes significantly Notably, the only instance where Elizabeth retains the “Mr” address is during her rejection of Mr Darcy’s initial marriage proposal, highlighting her respectful demeanor even in moments of firm refusal.
Use of in-group language or dialect
This part of the strategy happens when code-switching occurs from one language or a dialect to another of the community According to Brown and Levinson
In 1987, research highlighted how in-group language influences communication, with switches between English and Spanish indicating personal involvement or embarrassment Spanish is used to demonstrate positive politeness, fostering closeness, while English tends to be employed for negative politeness, maintaining distance In Jane Austen's *Pride and Prejudice*, as the novel is originally English, there is no use of in-group language or dialect in the refusal of marriage proposals, as seen in the responses of Mr Collins and Elizabeth Darcy.
Use of jargon or slang
The jargon and slang use may be employed as FTA redress when S might evoke all the relations and attitudes that S and H both have toward mentioned object
There is no signal that Elizabeth uses jargon or slang to reject the marriage proposals of both Mr.Collins and Mr.Darcy in the novel
According to Brown and Levinson (1987), when conversational participants share a common background, they often use contractions and ellipses to express positive politeness Ellipsis, in particular, is a linguistic device that can signal politeness and friendliness in communication As noted by Brown and Levinson, “the presence of ellipsis may mark an utterance as being positively polite,” highlighting its role in fostering social harmony and mutual understanding in interactions.
There is no signal that Elizabeth uses the contraction ellipsis to reject the marriage proposals of both Mr.Collins and Mr.Darcy in the novel
This strategy is employed by 19% of politeness strategies in refusals to marriage proposals in the novel
To gain final agreement in communications easily, both S and H tend to mention their common background to each other As presented in Brown and
Levinson (1987), raising safe topics such as weather and sports is a good way, since it is easy to seek agreement with H
Mr Collins discussed his background before proposing to Elizabeth, though it was an unsafe topic for her at the time To prevent his proposal, Elizabeth consciously steered the conversation towards positive aspects related to Mr Collins, hoping to dissuade him from proposing.
Repetition in dialogue serves to emphasize agreement, surprise, approval, or disapproval In *Pride and Prejudice*, Elizabeth’s repeated refusals to Mr Collins highlight her serious rejection of his marriage proposals For example, she states, “I do not know how to express my refusal so that it convinces you,” multiple times to ensure he understands her decision This pattern of repetition illustrates her firm stance, distinguishing her rejection from casual refusals in high society, and underscores her earnest intent to decline his proposal sincerely.
Elizabeth criticized Mr Darcy's role in Jane’s separation from Mr Bingley, questioning, "Can you deny that you were the cause of Jane’s unhappiness and her separation from Mr Bingley?" This pointed remark highlights the core reason Elizabeth could not accept Darcy's marriage proposal, emphasizing her concern over his involvement in her sister’s distress.
This strategy takes up 13% of occurrences in politeness strategies in refusals to marriage proposals in the novel by Elizabeth
The token agreement exemplifies a conversational tactic where speakers like S tend to pretend or appear to agree with H, often twisting their utterances to mask disagreement Phrases such as “yes, but…” are commonly used to give the illusion of agreement while subtly introducing reservations or contradictions Another related strategy is the rule of contiguity, which softens disagreement by placing it within context, thereby minimizing conflict and maintaining conversational harmony These techniques highlight how language is used strategically to manage interpersonal interactions and preserve social cohesion.
34 mentioned In Brown and Levinson (1987), the S says “yes, I agree with the first speaker, but then performs his own opinions that may be completely contrary to the first speaker’s one
Impoliteness Strategies
2.1 Bald on Record Impoliteness is a strategy used by people with saying impolite utterances to someone using face attacks when someone is saying impolite utterances With the use of the face attack, people will know if other people do not like the people There is no clue that Elizabeth used this strategy in the refusal of marriage proposals of Mr Collins, but appeared occurrences of this strategy in rejecting one of Darcy's in “But it only because of Jane that I dislike you” (p.62)
2.2 Positive impoliteness: typically deployed to damage the addressive’s positive face wants, represented by ignoring, snubbing the other, excluding the other from activity, disassociating from the other, being disinterested, unconcerned, unsympathetic; using obscure or secretive language; seeking disagreement; make the other feel uncomfortable; use taboo words, and call the other names; use inappropriate identity, etc There is no occurrence of that Elizabeth using this strategy in the refusal of the marriage proposals of Mr Collins and Mr Darcy
2.3 Negative impoliteness: typically damage the Hear’s negative face wants, and presented by frightening; condescend, scorn, or ridicule; invades the other’s space; explicitly associates the other with a negative aspect; puts the other’s indebtedness on record, and hinders or block the other physically or linguistically, etc Blaming is one signal of impoliteness, which causes the hears’ loneliness, hurt, or even frightens There is no clue that Elizabeth used this strategy in the refusal of the marriage proposals of Mr Collins, but appeared occurrences of this strategy in rejecting one of Darcy's by blaming him for the misfortune of his friend Mr Wickham in “ And it was your fault You took away his chance of a comfortable income and a good position, which you knew had been intended for him You have left him poor, dependent, and disappointed You have done all this” (p.63)
2.4 Off-record impoliteness: presented by Culpeper (2005) as a replacement for sarcasm This super strategy refers to FTA that is performed by means of an implicature but in such a way that one attributable intention outweighs any others (Culpeper 2005 P 44) There is no occurrence of that Elizabeth using this strategy in the refusal to marriage proposals of Mr Collins and Mr Darcy
2.5 Withhold politeness: is one of the impoliteness strategies to refer to the absence of politeness work where it would be expected There is no clue that Elizabeth used this strategy in her refusal of the marriage proposals of Mr Collins and Mr Darcy All frequencies of occurrences of five politeness strategies based on Brown and Levinson (1987) in refusals to marriage proposals in the novel “Pride and Prejudice” can be presented in the following table
Table 6: % each politeness strategies % used in refusals to marriage proposals
Analysis of the final results in Table 1 reveals that Elizabeth employed four out of five strategies outlined in Brown and Levison's (1987) refusal theory to decline marriage proposals from Mr Collins and Mr Darcy in "Pride and Prejudice." This demonstrates her strategic use of refusal language in her interactions.
In our analysis of communicative strategies, Strategy 4—Use in-group identity markers—was employed most frequently among the positive strategies, accounting for 31% Among the negative strategies, Elizabeth predominantly used Strategy 7—Impessoalize S and H—with a usage rate of 28.6% Within the off-record strategies, Strategy 3—Presuppose—was the most common, comprising 37.5% of instances Additionally, Elizabeth utilized the "Don’t do the FTA" strategy twice, representing 5% of the five total occurrences.
Politeness strategies in Brown and Levinson (1987) There was no time that bald-on record strategy was used in refusals to marriage proposals in the novel by Elizabeth
Politeness Strategies used in refusals to Mr.Collins’ marriage proposals in the novel Pride and Prejudice by the character Elizabeth
According to the obtained chart in Fig 1, we can conclude that Elizbeth employed four out of five politeness strategies mentioned in Brown and Levinson’s theories
In 1987, various communication strategies were analyzed, with the Bald-on record approach being an exception Both Positive and Negative strategies were equally utilized, each accounting for 33.33% of occurrences, making them the most frequently used methods in refusing marriage proposals.
In Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," Elizabeth Bennet employs various politeness strategies when refusing Mr Darcy’s marriage proposals, reflecting effective communication and social etiquette Specifically, Elizabeth utilizes three out of the five politeness strategies identified by Brown and Levinson (1987), demonstrating her tact and respectfulness in handling delicate situations Notably, positive politeness strategies constitute the highest percentage of her refusals, emphasizing her efforts to maintain social harmony while asserting her personal boundaries These strategies highlight Elizabeth's nuanced use of politeness in rejecting Mr Darcy’s proposals, aligning with the novel’s themes of social propriety and individual integrity.
Figure 3: P oliteness Strategies Used in Refusals to
Figure 4: P oliteness Strategies Used in Refusals to
Elizabeth rejected her first marriage proposal with a 50% occurrence rate Negative strategies were also used in 37.5% of rejections, demonstrating a common approach Notably, tactics such as Bald-on Record and Don’t Do the FTA were not employed by Elizabeth when declining marriage proposals, indicating her preference for alternative rejection methods.
Table 7: % all politeness strategies used in refusals to marriage proposals
No Politeness Strategies Frequency Percentage
From the obtained results presented in these charts, there is a conclusion that Elizabeth employed four out of five politeness strategies in Brown and Levinson
In refusals to marriage proposals, the most frequently used politeness strategy is positive politeness, accounting for 40%, indicating Elizabeth's effort to maintain politeness and satisfy the proposer's positive face, even when she ultimately disagrees Elizabeth also employs negative politeness (35%) and off-record strategies (20%) to minimize the imposition of her refusal, especially in her interactions with Collins, where her relative power is higher, making her approach more familiar Notably, Brown and Levinson’s (1987) bald-on-record strategy is not used by Elizabeth, reflecting her tendency to remain reasonable and cautious in her communication with both Collins and Darcy, despite the sensitive nature of the topics involved.
Elizabeth employed both politeness and impoliteness strategies when rejecting marriage proposals from Mr Collins and Mr Darcy Notably, she used only impoliteness strategies in her rejection of Mr Darcy’s first proposal, reflecting her prejudiced attitude toward Darcy and their relationship Her communication aimed to maximize the effectiveness of her refusal, demonstrating differing approaches in her responses to each suitor.
The impact of sociocultural factors
Sociocultural factors significantly influence the choice of language and politeness strategies, as highlighted by Leech (1983) and Thomas (1983) Thomas (1983) argued that socio-cultural elements impact how politeness strategies are implemented, taking into account pragmatic theories and the safety of discussed topics These influences are primarily categorized into three key dimensions: Size of Imposition, Power, and Distance, which are also referred to as Sociological Variables by Brown and Levinson (1987).
D, and R factors are not the only relevant factors, there are also others like occupations, ethnic identity, situational factors, etc In this research, to answer the research question (2), besides Brown and Levinson’s (1987) Sociological Variables were employed to analyze the sociocultural factors affecting the choices of politeness strategies by Elizabeth to refuse marriage proposals of Mr Collins and Mr Darcy, the Nguyen Quang’s Matrix for Intra-culture & Cross-cultural Communication was applied as the reference frame in terms of those others
According to Brown and Levinson (1987), the seriousness of a face-threatening act (FTA) influences the choice of politeness strategies, which are affected by key sociological factors Their research identifies three main factors shaping politeness strategies within any specific culture: social distance, relative power, and the ranking of imposition These factors play a crucial role in determining appropriate communication approaches to maintain social harmony and face Understanding these sociological factors is essential for effective intercultural communication and for selecting suitable politeness strategies.
Social distance significantly influences how politeness strategies and courtesy are employed in communication Typically, the closer the social relationship between participants, the fewer politeness strategies are necessary, as individuals tend to use more direct and informal language when social distance is minimal.
Effective communication relies on directness; however, as social distance increases, individuals tend to modify their speech by using redress strategies and employing positive and negative politeness to mitigate face-threatening acts.
In Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet's distant relative is connected to the influential social circles, but her prospects for marriage are initially limited Meanwhile, Mr Darcy is introduced as a close friend of Mr Bingley and a potential suitor for Elizabeth As part of Mrs Bennet's strategic plan to secure advantageous marriages for her daughters, Bingley is described as "quite young, very handsome, and extremely charming," with a fondness for dancing, which commonly indicates a likelihood of falling in love.
Elizabeth's refusal of Darcy's first love highlights a contradiction, as she employed both politeness and impoliteness strategies in her rejection, differing from traditional politeness theory Despite her use of politeness strategies, her social distance from Darcy was greater than with Collins, emphasizing the complexity of her responses This indicates that Elizabeth's communication involved nuanced strategies that reflected her social dynamics and personal feelings, challenging conventional expectations of politeness in such contexts.
3.1.2 The ranking of Imposition of S and H
Politeness strategies are influenced not only by the interactant-oriented factors of P and D but also by the interaction-oriented element R This indicates that while P and D primarily control politeness, the participant's focus on communication dynamics and other contextual aspects significantly impact politeness strategies, highlighting the multifaceted nature of effective communication.
According to Brown and Levinson (1987), when a speaker presents an offer that benefits themselves rather than the listener, they tend to communicate it directly, often without redressing or softening the message In Mr Collins’s case, during his second marriage proposal to Elizabeth, he shifted from a polite offer to an imperative, pressuring her to accept by highlighting his advantages and emphasizing the lack of better alternatives for her He states, “My situation in life, my connections with the de Bourgh family, and my relationship with your own, all make my proposal a very suitable one And you should remember that, despite your many admirable qualities, it is not certain that you will receive any other offer of marriage, as you have very little money of your own” (p.38) After being rejected initially, Mr Collins transformed his proposal into an imperative by providing compelling reasons that made it seem like the best course of action for Elizabeth to accept.
61 his marriage proposal, which imposed Elizabeth and controlled her way of choosing politeness strategies to reject Mr.Collins’ twice marriage proposals in a drastic way
In terms of Darcy’s first marriage proposal to Elizabeth, there is no evidence that Darcy imposed her to accept his
P is an asymmetric social dimension of relative power, reflecting how one individual can impose their self-evaluation based on social standing In "Pride and Prejudice," both Mr Collins and Elizabeth assess themselves from their respective perspectives Mr Collins, positioned in middle rank and supported by the de Bourgh family, is fully aware of his economic and social standing, which influences his self-evaluation and interactions with Elizabeth He justifies his marriage proposal by emphasizing his social connections and financial stability, claiming, “My situation in life, my connections with the de Bourgh family, and my relationship to your own, all make my proposal a very suitable one” (p.38) After being rejected, Mr Collins attempts to manipulate the situation by framing his proposal as the rational choice, stating, “and I’m sure that when both your excellent parents agree, you will accept my proposal!” (p.38), thus exerting social pressure and controlling Elizabeth’s response, which leads her to assertively reject his proposals through politeness strategies, maintaining her autonomy in the face of social dominance.
Darcy possesses a significantly larger fortune than Elizabeth, highlighting his superior economic power While Darcy’s wealth is inherited and reflects his lavish status, Elizabeth inherits nothing from her father due to the social norms of the time, which dictated that her father's estate would pass to a distant male relative This contrast underscores the disparity in their social and financial influence within their society.
3.2 Nguyen Quang’s Matrix for Intra-culture & Cross-cultural Communication
According to Nguyen Quang in “Mot so va de giao tiep Noi van hoa va Giao van hoa,” concepts such as Relative Power, Social Distance, and Ranking of Imposition are insufficient for comprehensively analyzing actions, events, and communication contexts The research therefore focuses on fourteen communication components from Nguyen Quang’s Matrix for Intra-cultural and Cross-cultural Communication to understand how socio-cultural factors influence Elizabeth’s choice of politeness strategies in refusals to marriage proposals This approach highlights the importance of cultural context in shaping polite behavior during interpersonal communication situations.
In the novel, Elizabeth is portrayed as a young woman aged between 15 and 20 years old, highlighting her youth and innocence Darcy is described as a tall, handsome man with an annual income of ten thousand pounds, emphasizing his wealth and status, and is portrayed as being in search of a wife, which adds to his character's allure Conversely, Collins is depicted as a tall, heavy-looking young man of twenty-five, indicating his physical presence and age, which contrast with Elizabeth's youth and Darcy's distinguished appearance.
The novel introduced Elizabeth as the second girl of four girls of Mr Bennet And Darcy and Collins are two young men
In the novel, Collins is portrayed as a clergyman, highlighting his role within the community, while Darcy is introduced as a wealthy young man who inherited his substantial fortune and a yearly income of ten thousand pounds from his father Although Jane Austen does not specify Collins's occupation beyond his priesthood, Elizabeth Bennet is depicted as a young woman living with her four sisters and parents, emphasizing her family background and social environment.
In Jane Austen's novel, Darcy is depicted as college-educated, highlighting his refined background Conversely, Elizabeth and her sisters were raised by a private governess, emphasizing their upbringing in a genteel but private environment While Mr Collins's role is mentioned only as a priest, his education and social position are implicitly understood within the context of the novel's portrayal of class and education.
Elizabeth Bennet’s family lives in the small Hertfordshire village of Longbourge, while Darcy and Collins are not explicitly mentioned in the novel
While the relationship between Elizabeth and Collins is a distant kinship of Mr Bennet’s and, they don’t even visit each other frequently, her relationship with Darcy