Analysis of Taboo against Racial Discrimination in American History X
- from the Perspective of Politeness Principle
Abstract
This paper begins with a demonstration of the Politeness Principle, then makes a brief introduction to the cause of taboo against racial discrimination, hereafter presents an analysis of taboo against racial discrimination in American daily life, as well as in the dialogues from movie American History X, a film mainly about the conflict between the black and the white. Finally, it gives the ways of avoiding taboo against racial discrimination. And thereby further demonstrates the theme of this paper  people should avoid using the taboo against racial discrimination so that our human society will become more harmony and steady.
Key words: Politeness Principle, taboo against racial discrimination, American History X
Contents
1. Introduction-1
2. Demonstration2
2.1 General introduction to Politeness Principle2
2.1.1 Definition of Politeness Principle2
2.1.2 Robin Lakoff’s Politeness Principle-3
2.1.3 The effects of Politeness Principle-4
2.2 The cause of taboo against racial discrimination4
2.2.1 The historical cause4
2.2.2 The social cause5
2.3 Analysis of taboos against racial discrimination5
2.3.1 Analysis of taboo in American daily life5
2.3.2 Analysis of taboo in the movie American History X-6
2.3.2.1 The background of American History X7
2.3.2.1.1 Social background-7
2.3.2.1.2 Character background-7
2.3.2.1.3 Cultural background-8
2.3.2.2 The dialogues concerning taboo against racial discrimination in American History X-8
2.4 Ways of avoiding taboo against racial discrimination10
2.4.1 Using Euphemisms10
2.4.2 Having a good knowledge of taboo against racial discrimination11
3. Conclusion11
Bibliography 13