An Analysis of Politeness Maxims in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

Abstract

This study sheds light on the analysis of conversational features in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice through the lens of politeness maxims from pragmatics. The research aims to examine the spoken exchanges among key characters to determine how they conform to or violate Leech’s politeness maxims—such as the tact, generosity, approbation, modesty, agreement, and sympathy maxims. By identifying both adherence and deviation from these pragmatic rules, the study reveals underlying character dynamics, societal norms, and narrative strategies. A qualitative descriptive method is used, focusing on approximately 17 significant quotations selected from key dialogues involving characters such as Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, Jane and Elizabeth, and Elizabeth and Lady Catherine. These quotations are analyzed contextually to interpret the speaker’s intent, social status, relational dynamics, and how the politeness strategies (or lack thereof) influence character perception and plot development. The findings indicate that violations of the politeness maxims often reflect character traits and thematic concerns. For example, Mr. Bennet’s sarcasm regularly breaches the tact and approbation maxims, highlighting his detachment and wit. In contrast, Jane Bennet consistently upholds the sympathy and modesty maxims, reinforcing her gentle and considerate personality. Elizabeth frequently balances politeness with assertiveness, especially in confrontational scenes, subtly violating the agreement maxim to express independence. Lady Catherine’s blunt and domineering tone blatantly violates several maxims, emphasizing her authoritative and class-conscious nature. Overall, the study concludes that Austen strategically uses politeness maxims not only to shape character voices but also to reflect broader social hierarchies and tensions. The analysis of these selected dialogues demonstrates how pragmatic violations serve as tools of irony, critique, and character development throughout the novel.