Back

The Discourse of Managing Attempted Levity in a Serious Situation: Relational Identity-Work in the Waco Standoff Negotiations.

  • Published In: Western Journal of Communication, 2025, v. 89, n. 1. P. 26 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Agne, Robert R 3 of 3

Abstract

This study examines the telephone negotiations between FBI agent, John Cox, and David Koresh, leader of the Branch Davidians, during the Waco Standoff of 1993. Using grounded practical theory (GPT), I describe the management of attempts at levity as a discourse practice, arguing that it accomplishes relational identity-work in this serious situation by navigating contradicting goals of approval and disapproval. Cox and Koresh's navigation does relational identity-work by suspending a relational paradox, trusting in the joke, and re-negotiating the limits of levity. These processes suggest challenges to ideals for relationship talk, especially in serious situations, and expand the boundaries of GPT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:Western Journal of Communication. 2025/01, Vol. 89, Issue 1, p26
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:1057-0314
  • DOI:10.1080/10570314.2023.2254943
  • Accession Number:182091100
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Western Journal of Communication is the property of Western States Communication Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Looking to go deeper into this topic? Look for more articles on EBSCOhost.