Probe into the Power Relations in “Counterparts”

Mo Yaping

【Abstract】This article is to explore the characters power relations， even Ireland and Britains from Cooperative Principle to deeply analyze the dialogues between the hero Farrington and his boss in “Counterparts”.The deeply analysis of the dialogues can help readers better appreciate the authors stylistic choices.

【Key words】Counterparts； Cooperative Principle

1. Introduction

Under the colonial domination of Britain in the 20th century， the Irish lead a gloomy life. The power relations of characters can also reveal the two countries， Ireland and Britains in “Counterparts”.

2. Analysis

There are three dialogues between Farrington and his boss at the office， which plays a major part in “Counterparts”.

The first dialogue takes place as follows： （1） Come in！ Farrington？ What is the meaning of this？ ...（2）But Mr.Shelley said， sir... In this dialogue， Farringotn is summoned to his boss Mr.Alleynes office and is rebuked for not handing in a copy of contract in time. In （1）， Mr. Alleynes questions violate the maxim of quantity. Mr.Alleyne makes his contribution more informative than is required， and repeatedly insults Farrington for not finishing the contract. Mr. Alleyne does not show his purpose until the end of the dialogue. The same is true to （3） and （5）. Especially in （3）， Mr. Alleyne interrupts Farrington before he gives a complete answer， which is a blunt act of non-cooperation and also flouts the quantity. The boss can interrupt and disregard the employee， which shows the power relation between them. Faced with the pressing intense questions， Farringtons answer in （2） obviously flouts the quality. He does not directly answer Mr.Alleynes question， he just wants to imply why he cannot finish the copy of contract in time and it is not his fault in order to avoid the clash with his boss. Under a series of Mr. Alleynes threatening questions， Farrington gives repetitive direct answers “Yes， sir”， showing the total submission and also creating a reinforced effect on the stronger power of Mr. Alleyne and the weaker power of Farrington. This is why Mr. Alleyne can freely violate Cooperative Principle， Farrington tries to follow the maxims when asked intensely.

As the story goes on， after Mr. Alleyne finds the two letters missing， he begins a tirade of abuse. （1）I know nothing about any other two letters， （2）You—know—nothing. Of course you know nothing，Tell me，do you take me for a fool？ Do you think me an utter foll？...The numbing effect of alcohol spurs the man to challenge his boss with a “smart talk”， and therefore this part of dialogues becomes the climax of the story. In （2）， Mr. Alleyne violates the quantity through repeating the question “do you take me for a fool？” in order to insult and threaten， and impose his authority on Farrington in public. To peoples surprise， Farrington retorts Mr. Alleyne in （3）， which flouts the relation. The implied meaning of the answer is that “well， you said that yourself， I didnt say you are a fool.” This answer is a deliberately provocative retort. It is the first time that Farringtons voice is heard in his dialogue and his spontaneous reply marks the disruptive point in their exchange. But the difference is that Mr. Alleyne uses abject words to insult Farrington in order to save his power relation.

From the analysis， it seems that Farrington finally surprisingly retorts his boss to save his power， which totally flouts the maxims. But in fact， this case seldom can not take place in normal circumstances， it is the alcohol that makes Farrington blurred. So when Farrington is sober， he regrets and has to apologize to Mr. Alleyne for his impertinence so as to keep his work and make a living in such a society. This indicates a striking contrast of their different power relation， the powerful boss Mr.Alleyne and the powerless employee Farrington. The power relation of individuals also reveals two countries power relation. The Irish lead an oppressive life under the dark domination of Britain in the 20th century. Mr. Alleyne signifies Britain， and Farrington signifies Ireland. According to the above-mentioned analysis， that Mr. Alleyne can freely oppress and insult Farrington signifies the oppressive rule of Britain on Ireland. Even there is any resistance in Ireland， like Farrington， finally coming to the defeat.