Being There; A Semiotic Approach

In this fashion he encouraged her to continue and elaborate. Each time Chance repeated EE's words, she brightened and looked more confident. In fact, she became so at ease that she began to punctuate her speech by touching, now his shoulder, now his arm. Her words seemed to float inside his head; he observed her as if she were on television" (Kosinski 31).
             This scene shows how people of this day and age are so concerned of what people think of them. It may seem impolite or rude to not "show a keen interest" in what some else is saying. Many people can seem smart and involved in a conversation simply by saying nothing; the whole idea of "nodding and smiling," and repeating some else's words a few times seems to get the work done. By the touch of a shoulder or arm, readers can tell that EE is certainly enjoying the conversation. However, she doesn't know that Chance is not interested in the slightest. EE assumes that because Chance is this important businessman who is well educated and quite brilliant, that what she talks about would be of interest to him. However, when one is around high class, and presumably powerful rich people, they speak in a different manner and tone. Everything seems to step up a notch. For example, one would not speak to the president the same way they speak to their friends.
             Of course, this kind of miscommunication is expected and EE and her husband soon think that his name is Chauncey Gardiner and, fooled by the Old Man's suits which he wears, that he too is a wealthy businessman. Their first dinner conversation signifies a pattern which recurs throughout the book: .
             In deciding how to behave, Chance chose the TV program of a young businessman who often dined with his boss and the boss's daughter. .
             'You look like a healthy man, Mr. Gardiner,' said Rand. 'That's your good luck. But doesn't this accident prevent you from attending to your business?' .