In this work, we challenge the view that failure of coconstrual between a
pronoun and a name in its c-commanding domain is exhaustively accounted for
by Principle C of the Binding Theory. We present experimental evidence from
a binary forced choice (FC) task demonstrating that obviative behavior of
c-commanding subject pronouns is a combined effect of Principle C and an
independent restriction on coconstrual with structurally prominent
pronouns. We further argue that sentences where a pronoun linearly precedes
and c-commands a name must be viewed as a special, structurally marked case
of backwards anaphora where the possibility of coconstrual is affected by
three types of factors: (i) those common to all pronominal reference
resolution (e.g., plausibility of coconstrual), (ii) those common to all
backwards anaphora (e.g., pronominal position), and (iii) factor(s)
exclusive to structurally marked environments (e.g., Principle C
effect). Ultimately,
we propose a non-categorical, multi-variable approach to pronominal
reference resolution in structurally marked environments.