Vagueness in Fictional Dialogues. Based on the analysis of Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray"

Mgr. Jana Valábiková

Master's thesis

Abstract:

The thesis examines Oscar Wilde's novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray" from the linguistic viewpoint. The analysis is focused on the langauge of dialogues; vagueness of expression being its core aspect in particular. Material for investigation is provided by the first two chapters of the novel since they are particularly rich in the dialogue conversation. As far as the method of investigation is concerned, the discourse analysis methodology was applied in this thesis. A core aspect of the analysis carried out is the identification and categorization of individual instances of lexical and pragmatic vagueness within the dialogue language. Furthermore, this work hypothesizes that the extract of Wilde's novel examined not only employs lexical and pragmatic vagueness (grammatical vagueness was not considered in the analysis)but also utilizes vagueness as a stylistic device. Within the scope of this stylistic principle three major criteria for the use of vagueness were identified: paradox, emotive language and the use of inner dialogue. All these three aspects support and facilitate the overall assertive and philosophizing character of Wilde's stylistic approach. The fundamental motivation behind the extensive use of vagueness found in Wilde's language has been acknowledged as the author's ambition to create openness of meaning and thus openness of interpretation.

Keywords

linguistic vagueness, discourse analysis, fictional dialogues, Oscar Wilde and his literary style, "The Picture of Dorian Gray"

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 29. 6. 2006

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 6. 9. 2006
• Supervisor: prof. PhDr. Ludmila Urbanová, CSc.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / field:
Humanities / English Language and Literature