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

AbstractThis 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 especially in serious situations expand the boundaries of GPT.Keywords: Action-Implicative Discourse Analysisattempted humor and levityBranch Davidiansgrounded practical theoryrelational identity-workWaco Standoff Disclosure StatementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Notes1. Nine OMZ Bradley fighting vehicles, five M728 Combat Engineer vehicles, and two M1A1 Abrams Tanks.2. Strategies included turning off the electricity, flooding the compound at night with bright lights and loud noises, and damaging property surrounding the compound.3. Recordings in the forms of tapes and transcripts are available through the US Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FOIPA).4. Recording in the forms of tapes and transcripts are available through the US Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FOIPA). Transcription symbols include.. Falling intonation? Rising intonation, not always a question↑ higher pitch↓ lower pitch. Falling or final intonation−an abrupt cutoff:: Prolonging of soundneverStressed syllable or work>word