What we've got here is (a) failure to communicate

Question

HiWhat does the following phrase really mean, "What we've got here is (a) failure to communicate"? I mean what was the purpose its use there? I understand that you are going to ask me for the context and I can only say that you are in a position to help me if you have watched we%27ve_got_here_is%28a%29_failure_to_communicate' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whatwe%27ve_got_here_is%28a%29_failure_to_communicate, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cool_Hand_Luke. Thank you.RegardsJackson

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Jackson6612What we've got here is (a) failure to communicate

= You don't understand me.
~ I'm not getting through to you what I expect from you.

CJ

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Hi Jackson;

The accurate quote from "Cool Hand Luke" is "What we've got here is failure to communicate."

It is rather literal, not figurative. The problem is that there is no real communication (per the warden's expectations.)
Luke is defiant and spirited, not acting submissively enough..

Jackson6612 · Answer

Thank you, CJ, Alphecca

s.

communicate
intransitive verb
2 : to transmit information, thought, or feeling so that it is satisfactorily received or understood
[M-W's Col. Dic.]

Best wishes
Jackson

Clive · Answer

If I recall the movie correctly, it's a rather formal sentence which contrasts with the brutality of the preceding few seconds, in which Luke is hit and knocked down. It's an instance of black humour.

Clive

Jackson6612 · Answer

Hi

@Alphecca

s: I believe both versions are considered correct per the Wikipedia article - one without an indefinite article "a" and the other with it.

The line is frequently taken as "What we've got here is a failure to communicate." Both are correct. This line is heard twice in the film, first in its entirety, with no http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indefinite_article "a", by the Captain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strother_Martin), and later with an "a", said by Luke.

@Clive: Thank you. Yes, you are quite right in saying that it's a rather formal sentence.The screenplay's co-writer also discusses it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cool_Hand_Luke#.22Failure_to_communicate.22.

@CJ:

I'm not getting through to you what I expect from you.

get through
to reach someone; to manage to communicate to someone.

My trouble is with "from you" phrase. It would be fine if it were, "I'm not getting from you what I expect from you". Perhaps the character is saying that he is not able to communicate with 'you' to the level he had thought and the reason for this is 'you'. Kindly help me with this.

Regards
Jackson

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Jackson6612@Alpheccas: I believe both versions are considered correct per the Wikipedia article - one without an indefinite article "a" and the other with it.

Both versions are grammatically correct, but only one (without "a") is what was said. The other is a misquote.

I'm not getting through to you what I expect from you.

The warden knows that Luke fully understands him, and Luke actually knows how the warden wants him to speak and behave, but Luke is defiant. The "communication failure" and "not getting through" is just dark humor, an excuse for the cruel treatment.

What we've got here is (a) failure to communicate

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