|
|
The Discourse Analysis of "Mamet Speak": The Display of Power in Language and the Limits of Language
Skřivanová, Martina ; Kladný, Tomáš (advisor) ; Ivan, Michal (referee)
This master's thesis analyses the following plays by contemporary American playwright, David Mamet: Oleanna (1992) and Glengarry Glen Ross (1983). The thesis deals with the discourse that was used and the question of the characters' power relations, which are examined from a sociolinguistic point of view. Firstly, the thesis defines power relations according to Michel Foucault and shows that communication can serve as an instrument of how to act upon others. The thesis is primarily based on the theory of Deborah Tannen, who observes the ambivalent nature of solidarity and power, and introduces her five areas of interest: indirectness, interruption, silence versus volubility, topic raising and verbal conflict. The thesis examines a selection of dialogues from the plays in order to elucidate how these aspects further influence the actions and behaviour of the characters, and explores the effects of the utterances including the effects of power. The thesis also deals with the question of failure of communication, which is examined from the perspective of Roman Jakobson's functions of language, Paul Grice's cooperative principle and Geoffrey N. Leech's politeness principle. Key Words Mamet, Oleanna, Glengarry Glen Ross, discourse, power, power relations, failure of communication
|
|
|
Developing writing as a key communication skill
Skřivanová, Martina ; Švermová, Dagmar (advisor) ; Nečasová, Pavla (referee)
Developing writing as a key communication skill Abstract The thesis focuses on the development of writing, with special emphasis being put on the mandatory written essay that is required as a part of the foreign language maturita exam. The opening chapters introduce the definition of writing skill and theoretically propose ways to improve and develop the skill, as well as examine the factors that influence its quality. Further methods and approaches centered on writing are suggested to be utilised in lessons. Furthermore, RWCT methods along with creative writing techniques are presented. These particular methods are observed in the research following two control groups of students and their writing skills development. The aim was to juxtapose and compare the groups in question, with one of the groups being subjected to alternative methods. It also aims to analyse a textbook in terms of featured exercises in regards to the writing skill development. A presentation of suitable activities that could be used in classes to improve the quality of writing is an essential part of the thesis, as well as the examination of related curricular documents in the Czech educational system, especially concerning the maturita exam. Keywords: communication skills, writing as a productive skill, German language writing...
|
|
|
The Discourse Analysis of "Mamet Speak": The Display of Power in Language and the Limits of Language
Skřivanová, Martina ; Kladný, Tomáš (advisor) ; Ivan, Michal (referee)
This master's thesis analyses the following plays by contemporary American playwright, David Mamet: Oleanna (1992) and Glengarry Glen Ross (1983). The thesis deals with the discourse that was used and the question of the characters' power relations, which are examined from a sociolinguistic point of view. Firstly, the thesis defines power relations according to Michel Foucault and shows that communication can serve as an instrument of how to act upon others. The thesis is primarily based on the theory of Deborah Tannen, who observes the ambivalent nature of solidarity and power, and introduces her five areas of interest: indirectness, interruption, silence versus volubility, topic raising and verbal conflict. The thesis examines a selection of dialogues from the plays in order to elucidate how these aspects further influence the actions and behaviour of the characters, and explores the effects of the utterances including the effects of power. The thesis also deals with the question of failure of communication, which is examined from the perspective of Roman Jakobson's functions of language, Paul Grice's cooperative principle and Geoffrey N. Leech's politeness principle. Key Words Mamet, Oleanna, Glengarry Glen Ross, discourse, power, power relations, failure of communication
|
|
|
Marriage in danger. The three different stories
Skřivanová, Martina ; Peterka, Josef (advisor) ; Mocná, Dagmar (referee)
The central task of this bachelor's thesis was to analyse three novels which were dealing with a motif of marriage and its possible dissolution. In the first part, the author adumbrated the topic of marriage, love and infidelity in general. Following chapters were focused on the analysis of individual novels from a literary, sociological, psychological and literary-historical point of view. The main aim was to compare the novels and the motif of marriage included in them.
|
|
|
The victimization of women by men - "hunters" and "consumers" - in Margaret Atwood's novels The Edible Woman and Surfacing
Skřivanová, Martina ; Kolinská, Klára (advisor) ; Jindra, Miroslav (referee)
The thesis deals with the early works of the Canadian writer Margaret Atwood - novels The Edible Woman (1969) and Surfacing (1972). The thesis focuses on victimization and objectification of the female characters through photography and consumption. The two topics are crucial for the two "body" chapters of the thesis. The first chapter deals with Susan Sontag's and Roland Barthes' theory of photography, and applies it to both novels. With the help of a camera, the man takes control over the woman. Similarly to a gun, it is a device with a release one can easily press to overpower its subject and turn it into a trophy - an object in its unalterable position one can manipulate with easily. Therefore, the thesis also explores the parallels between female and animal victims and hunting. Roland Barthes in his Camera Lucida (1980) analyses posing in front of the photographer. He is convinced that at the moment of picture taking the person waiting for the pull of the trigger transforms themselves into an object and thus loses their real self - with this version of the portrayed person, the photographer can manipulate according to his will. The gaze of the camera is unscrupulous and predatory; the thesis elaborates on it by the feminist theory of Laura Mulvey, who in her anthology Visual and Other...
|
guest ::
RSS feed.