Preface
PART ONE PRELIMINARIES
Chapter Ⅰ Introduction
1.1 Research Motivations and Questions
1.2 The Problems of the Previous Researches on the Silence in Pinter' s Drama
1.3 The Relevant Solutions Proposed by the Current Research
PART TWO FEATURES AND NORMS OF SILENCE
Chapter Ⅱ Silence in the Realm of Language
2.1 Introduction
2.2 General Definitions of Silence
2.3 The Nonabsolute Nature of Silence
2.4 Silence as an Organic Linguistic Component
2.5 Why is "a Torrent of Language" Silence？
2.6 Conclusion
Chapter Ⅲ Taxonomies of Silences
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Taxonomies of Silences in General
3.3 A Typology of Silences in Pinter' s Drama
3.4 Conclusion
PART THREE PRAGMATIC FUNCTIONS OF SILENCES IN PINTER' S DRAMATIC DISCOURSE
Chapter Ⅳ Theoretical Framework and Methodology
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Pragmatic Act Theory as the Theoretical Framework
4.3 Interpretation Methods of Silence
4.4 Conclusion
Chapter Ⅴ Silences as Pragmatic Acts in the Interactions among Characters
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Silences as Cognitive Acts
5.3 Silences as Emotional Acts
5.4 Silences as Intentional Acts
5.5 Conclusion
Chapter Ⅵ Silences as Pragmatic Acts in the Communication from the Playwright to the Reader/Audience
6.1 Introduction
6.2 The Model of Literary Communication in Pinter' s Dramatic Discourse
6.3 Silences as Thematic Acts
6.4 Silences as Dramatic Acts
6.5 Silences as Poetic Acts
6.6 Conclusion
Chapter Ⅶ Conclusion
7.1 Summary
7.2 Contributions and Implications
7.3 Limitations and Suggestions
Bibliography
Appendix
Acknowledgements
