Maxim of Politeness in Wicked Movie (2024): A Pragmatic Analysis of Character Interaction and Social Dynamics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36312/jolls.v5i3.3345Keywords:
Politeness maxims, Pragmatic analysis, Film dialogue, Character interactionAbstract
This study investigates the realization of Leech’s (1983) Politeness Principle in the film Wicked (2024), focusing on how dialogue reflects the six maxims of politeness: Tact, Generosity, Approbation, Modesty, Agreement, and Sympathy. Employing a descriptive qualitative design, data were collected through documentation and note-taking techniques by repeatedly viewing the film and identifying utterances that exemplify the maxims. Each utterance was analyzed contextually to determine how politeness strategies function within character interactions and contribute to narrative development. The findings reveal that all six maxims occur in the dialogue, though with varying frequencies. The Approbation Maxim dominates with seven instances (35%), followed by the Sympathy Maxim with five instances (25%), indicating that praise and empathy are the most salient strategies used by characters. Generosity (15%), Agreement (10%), and Tact (10%) appear less frequently, while Modesty is the least observed at only 5%. Character-specific patterns also emerge: Elphaba often employs modesty to highlight humility, Glinda frequently uses sympathy and generosity to build solidarity, and Madame Morrible strategically exploits approbation to manipulate others. These patterns suggest that politeness functions not only as a means of maintaining social harmony but also as a device for asserting power, fostering empathy, and shaping interpersonal relationships. Theoretically, the study extends pragmatic analysis by demonstrating how politeness maxims operate in cinematic discourse as tools for identity construction and ideological representation. Practically, it highlights the pedagogical potential of film dialogue as an accessible medium for teaching pragmatics, intercultural communication, and critical literacy.
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