Question

he enquired if someone was there change to direct speech​

Answer 1

Answer:

What the question is effectively asking can vary significantly. In the famous Monty Python sketch, "Is your name not Bruce?" is effectively a statement of incredulity (and poor Michael Baldwin is assigned the name Bruce, like everyone else in the Philosophy Department, to "cut down on the confusion"). More commonly, perhaps, in the real world, one would ask such a question when there is some doubt as to the name of the respondent (in the case of mistaken identity or an incorrect introduction). In that case, the question is often asked after it becomes apparent to the asker that there is a problem — the person being addressed is exhibiting signs of confusion or irritation — and the expected answer is "no" (or "yes, but how did you know that?", or perhaps "yes, but merely knowing my name doesn't automatically grant you the right to speak to me. Who let you in here? Security!!!"). In myths and heroic tales — including family mythologies — names often have more meaning than simply being a signifier for a signified person, and the question may be serving as a notification or reminder of some power or quality the respondent should possess and isn't using. In that case, the actual question is rhetorical.

Explanation: