Analysis of Flouting Maxim used by the main characters in Emma Movie

The study is aimed to analyze how flouting maxims is carried out by the main characters in Emma (2020) based on Grice's theory. There are two problems to be solved in this study, namely: (1) what types of maxims are flouted by the characters in Emma 2020 movie? (2) What are the social factors that influence the main characters to flouted the types of maxims in Emma 2020 movie? This study uses qualitative approach in relation to the use of clear and systematic description about the phenomena being studied. Descriptive study in textual analysis was applied in this study to analyze conversation of the main characters through the script of Emma movie. The data used by the researcher was a collection of conversations or dialogues between the main characters in the form of sentences that were analyzed from the script and scenes in the film. The transcription was then analyzed by identify types of maxim violations and analyze social factors that influence maxim violations by the main characters in Emma movie. The findings of this study reveal that all four types of maxims proposed by Grice (quantity, quality, relation, and manner) are flouted by the main characters in Emma (2020). Among them, the maxim of relation is flouted most frequently, with 20 instances, followed by quality (13 instances), and both quantity and manner (7 instances each), totaling 47 cases of flouting. These violations are employed by characters to express implied meanings that are shaped by social context, such as delivering subtle criticism, maintaining politeness, avoiding direct conflict, or expressing hidden emotions. The study also finds that flouting maxims serve functions beyond information exchange; they act as tools for social navigation, particularly within the structured norms of 19th-century English upper-class society. Furthermore, social factors, such as status, power relations, politeness norms, and gender roles significantly influence how and why characters flout maxims. For example, Emma Woodhouse often uses her high social position to control conversations, while characters of lower status tend to communicate more cautiously.