Main Character Analysis in “Great Expectations” Based on Cooperative Principle Theory

Abstract

“Great Expectations” is one of representative novels written by the British writer Charles Dickens. It shows the growth of the protagonist Pip. Compared with Dickens’s other works, predecessors have done less research on “Great Expectations” and mainly focused on the theme and personalities. However, few studies analyze the personalities of the main characters in “Great Expectations” from the perspective of pragmatics through conversations in the novel. This thesis attempts to use Cooperative Principle to explore the four main characters of Pip, Estella, Joe, and Havisham. The study finds that the use of the four maxims of Cooperative Principle can effectively grasp the pragmatic strategies of the main characters in Great Expectations, revealing the different personalities of the main characters in this novel, and help readers understand and appreciate “Great Expectations” better.