The Implicature of Eloquent Silence and its Role in Emotional Communication in O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi (A Pragmatic Study)

Abstract

The application of pragmatic rules and principles to the interpretation of literary works has so far been of great advantage for literary readers, as it helps to obtain two points in relation to literature: its understanding and enjoyment. Silence, as a nonverbal means of communication, can sometimes be a more powerful expression of emotion than words, particularly in moments of loss, grief, or conflict. In literature, a character's silence can often communicate more effectively than direct dialogue, allowing readers to connect with the character’s pain or sorrow. The present work is an attempt to analyze intermittent instances of silence in a short story, namely The Gift of Maggi, by the American Writer O. Henry (1862–1910), in view of Grice’s theory of Conversational Implicature. The conclusions of the research ascertain the applicability of implicature principles to the interpretation of literary genres, especially short stories; besides, the writer’s deliberate flouting of these principles forces his readers to think and infer the deep meanings behind his expressions, and feel the true emotional relations between the characters in the story under study.