Name: Salamatu Musa Yusifu

Student Number: 0251987

Subject: Introduction to Communication Theory and Semiotics

Assignment: Application Term Paper; Applying Communication Theory in Everyday Situation.

Movie: Bride and Prejudice

Professor: Janis “Amazing” Goldie

Due Date: March 15th 2010

 Bride and Prejudice

The Bollywood/Hollywood mix is about a family known as the Bakshi, with four

daughters Jaya, Lalita, Lakhi and Maya, a mum and a dad leaving in Amritsar India.(IMDB) Mrs

Bakshi is so worried about getting her daughters married to a rich man so they can leave the big

life and comfortably, she pushes how they feel and if they want the marriage away. (IMDB)

Mrs Bakshi’s brother invites the whole family to Immigrate to the United States, but

Sharman Bakshi refuses; because he does not fancy the big life just loves to leave peacefully.

(IMDB) So she loses hope, but her source of inspiration comes into place when Balraj from the

family of Bingley arrives with his Caucasian friend William Darcy, and proposes to Jaya. (IMDB)

Mr Darcy and Lalita get along too but in the process come Johnny Wickham, who she

then tends to start having mutual feelings with. (IMDB) Mrs Bakshi is mad at her and prefers

she marries her cousin Kohli from California. (IMDB) Things start to fall apart; Balraj returns

home, Kohli gets married to Lalita’s Friend, Jaya Is heartbroken, and Mrs Bakshi is disappointed.

(IMDB) On the way for Kohli’s wedding in California, they have a stop in London. (IMDB) They

go in search of Balraj, but find him not available. Back to the initial journey to California, they

meet William Darcy and things seem to be getting better and everything changes for the better.

(IMDB)
 Social Exchange Theory

In Julia T Wood’s Book communication theories in action she explains Social exchange

theory as “the point of view that in a relationship people try to minimize costs, maximize

rewards, and ensure equality.” (T Wood )The Movie Bride and prejudice is a great example of

this theory, as it’s all about getting the best husband, the richest of all and about reward to the

daughters not about any cost by the men. (T Wood )

In the Beginning of the movie Lalita says:”All mothers think that any single guy with big

bucks must be shopping for a wife” and her sister Jaya replies saying:”I am embarrassed to say

it but i hope him his”. Lalita then says:”What? Shopping or loaded”, and finally Jaya says:”both.”

("Bride and Prejudice") From that little conversation we can notice the more importance of

Rewards than cost; Jaya has her mind down on how much she would gain from a shopping man

not how she would have to do to get him (cost) (IMDB). In Amritsar, Most mothers don’t really

put the social exchange theory into mind. Most humans don’t if you look at the world today,

everyone gets into relationship thinking about the reward they would gain and forget also there

would be a cost to everything as long as there is a reward.

What is most important can be lost if plans are made, in our everyday life the reward

and cost can be defeated if we just live life as it comes and not hope to gain anything. Lalita’s

friend says to Lalita:”All the guys want girls from rich families”, from that no doubt we can see
the men too have their own minds planned on rewards too. A life without reward and costs

would be perfect, but also would a life without reward and cost would be hopeless and

dreamless.

As Lalita sings through the town of Amritsar with her friends, she sings: “If it only

depends on the stars above, i don’t want money all i want is love”, maybe the only way to deal

with social exchange theory is to just deal with Love.

Uncertainty Reduction theory

At a wedding with as Balraj introduces himself to the family, he speaks on to

Darcy:”Darcy, why don’t you ask one of Jaya’s Lovely sisters to dance as well?” In shock Darcy

replies:”No, i am Sorry I can’t. I have to get back and work. I have a conference call. Lalita upset

at his manner of reply says:”But it’s easier than you think! I can show you”, Darcy:”I really can’t,

maybe another time.” ("Bride and Prejudice") Julia T Woods define the uncertainty reduction

theory as”the point of view that uncertainty motivates communication and that certainty

reduces the motivation to communicate.

The way Darcy spoke raised a level of uncertainty, and Lalita replies wanting more

information. It is true uncertainty motivates communication. This is Lalita and Darcy’s first

communication contact and the manner Darcy spoke, would want Lalita to know more about

him. So it happens Darcy approaches her later on to explain to her, as their conversation goes

Darcy says:”There's nothing wrong with having standards, is there? And Lalita replies:”No, as

long as you don't force them on others.” (IMDB)

 You may notice the uncertainty is gradually reducing and the need for communication is

lost by Lalita. They way we talk to people the first time, decides maybe we would have another

conversation again. I agree with the Uncertainty reduction theory, because in every aspect of

life between two people that have grown to know each other it took its place at the beginning.

Little kids go through this phase too, no matter the age this theory comes in place in our life.

Conclusion

Each communication has a role in our life; life is a continuous story and communication

play the actor in this wonderful story of ours.

Reference

 T Wood, Julia. Communication Theories in Action. 2004. Belmont: Wadsworth/Thomson

learning, 2004. Print. (T Wood )

 "Bride and Prejudice the Movie." Web. 9 Mar 2010. ("Bride and Prejudice")

 IMDB, . "IMDB Bride and Prejudice." N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Mar 2010.

<http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361411/quotes>. (IMDB)