The dialogue discourse of the characters in Franz Kafka’s novel from the aspect of conversation maxims

Abstract

          Dialogue is an important element in Franz Kafka's novels. Through the dialogues, the characters both express themselves and try to establish relationships with the other characters. Analyzing the characters’ dialogues from the aspect of conversation maxims will contribute to the clarification of the characters and the expression of Kafka's views of human conditions. The analysis results show that the characters frequently violate the conversation maxims, leading the conversations to their impasses. Thus, the characters of Franz Kafka's novels have always been pushed to lonely, deadlocked and desperate situations.

            Key words: dialogue, Kafka’s novels, conversation maxim