The manipulative characteristics of the tactics of the implementation of the “subterfuge” strategy in the novel “Catch 22” (by J. Heller)

Abstract

The article deals with the analysis of the “subterfuge strategy”, ten tactics of its implementation in the novel by J. Heller “Catch-22”. The article focuses on the manipulative potential of these tactics and the language means used to carry it out. The “subterfuge” strategy is treated as a direct violation of the norms of interaction and the main principle of cooperation. Its main goal is to conceal the speaker’s true intention in communicative situations of rivalry, hiding the truth, accusation, threat, aggression, reproach, flattery, silencing, protecting one’s own interests and value orientations, misleading, etc . Pragmatically the “subterfuge strategy” incorporates the characteristics of various types of speech actions such as: assertives, directives, expressiives, commissives, orders, demands, etc. All of them convey specific psychological states of the interlocutors. The paper focuses on the implementation of the subterfuge strategy through ten tactics: tactics of ignorance; tactics of expressing open disrespect; tactics of attacking, intimidation (transition to personality); tactics of making aggressive remarks under the guise of a joke and irony; tactics of question-to-question response; tactics of the game on self-esteem; compromising and belittling tactics; tactics of accusation and provoking feelings of guilt; persuasion tactics; tactics of question attack.