Unspoken Understanding: Delving Into Conversational Implicatures In Doris Lessing'S &Quot;A Woman On A Roof&Quot;
Xiaojie Wang
School of Foreign Languages, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
Yujie Zhang
School of Foreign Languages, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
Abstract
This study employs Paul Grice's Theory of Conversational Implicatures to conduct a pragmatic analysis of character dialogues in Doris Lessing's short story, "A Woman on a Roof." By examining the implicit meanings conveyed when characters breach communicative norms, this research uncovers how these cues contribute to character development and narrative in the story, shedding light on Lessing's literary objectives. The story depicts a woman sunbathing on a rooftop while three repairmen vie for her attention, revealing attitudes shaped by desire, frustration, and societal gender expectations. While existing scholarship has explored themes of voyeurism, gender dynamics, and female empowerment, this linguistic approach offers fresh insights into the narrative