Flouting of Maxims Done by the Characters in Avatar: The Way of Water Movie

Abstract

This study analyzes the flouting maxims in the film Avatar: The Way of Water, as expressed by all characters in their dialogues. By applying Grice’s Cooperative Principle (1975) and Cutting’s (2002) theory of flouting maxims, this analysis aims to identify the types of flouting maxims used and to understand the reasons behind these occurrences. A descriptive qualitative approach was applied in this
study. The data were taken from the film transcript, specifically from the characters’ utterances that contained flouting maxims. In collecting the data, the researcher watched the film, transcribed the dialogues, and identified utterances in which the maxims were flouted. The data were analyzed by categorizing the flouting maxims and interpreting the context as well as the reasons behind each
instance. The results show that all types of flouting maxims were found in the movie, with a total of 31 instances. Flouting the maxim of relevance was the most frequent, as the characters often avoided conflict to maintain harmony in their relationships, which aligns with the film’s central theme of family. Other instances of flouting were used to express jokes and sarcasm, while some short or ambiguous utterances implied hidden meanings. In conclusion, flouting maxims function as a communication strategy used by speakers to convey
specific intentions.