A Psychological Analysis of Speech Acts in Fitzgerald’s Short Story “The Freshest Boy”
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61704/pr.548Keywords:
Speech acts, J. R. Searle, J. L. Austin, Fitzgerald, The Freshest Boy, Psychological AnalysisAbstract
The present paper conducts an in-depth investigation into the types of speech acts utilized in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story “The Freshest Boy,” utilizing J. R. Searle’s (1976) classification of speech acts as the primary analytical framework. The main research question focuses on how these speech acts unveil the psychological aspects of the protagonist’s character within the narrative. Employing a qualitative analytical methodology, the study merges speech act theory with Freudian psychoanalytic concepts, specifically analyzing selected textual data. Findings indicate that the protagonist’s speech acts transcend mere communicative functions; they act as reflections of deeper psychological states and internal conflicts. The study’s significance is underscored by its interdisciplinary approach, integrating pragmatic analysis with psychoanalytic interpretation, thus providing enriched insights into character construction and development in literary contexts.
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