Comedy and Critical Thought: Laughter as Resistance

by Iain MacKenzie University of Kent (Editor), Fred Francis Assistant Lecturer in English, University of Kent (Editor), Krista Bonello Rutter Giappone Visiting Lecturer, Univer (Editor)

Overview

Throughout history, comedians and clowns have enjoyed a certain freedom to speak frankly often denied to others in hegemonic systems. More recently, professional comedians have developed platforms of comic license from which to critique the traditional political establishment and have managed to play an important role in interrogating and mediating the processes of politics in contemporary society.

This collection will examine the questions that arise when of comedy and critique intersect by bringing together both critical theorists and comedy scholars with a view to exploring the nature of comedy, its potential role in critical theory and the forms it can take as a practice of resistance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781786604071
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	03/13/2018
Series:	Experiments/On the Political
Pages:	246
Product dimensions:	5.97(w) x 9.09(h) x 0.54(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Krista Bonello Rutter Giappone is the Associate Lecturer in English and Drama, University of Kent,
University of Malta.

Fred Francis is an Assistant Lecturer in English at the University of Kent.

Iain MackKenzie is the Co-Director Centre for Critical Thought and Senior Lecturer in Politics at the
University of Kent.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Setting the Agenda, Krista Bonello Rutter Giappone, Fred Francis, Iain MacKenzie/ Part I: Comedy and/as Critique / 1. Jolt, flash, tinge, ooze: process philosophy and the dynamics of critical comedy, James Williams / 2. “Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand”, Nicholas Holm / 3. Comedy and Resistance, Robert Porter / 4. Redemption Through Laughter? The Critical Potential of the Joke in Ernst Bloch’sTraces, Piotr Sawczyński / 5. A liturgical comedy of resistance and a comic liturgy of transformation, Francis Stewart / Part II: Laughter as Resistance / 6. Humitas: A new word for How to Do Things With Humour, Kate Fox / 7. Conformist Comedians: Dutch Political Humour, Ivo Nieuwenhuis / 8. Cartoon Comedy as Criticism of Society, Pip Gregory / 9. Comedic Agency and Contemporary Art Practice, Levi Hanes / 10. Beckett’s Invented Ambiguity: Indifference and Laughter, Selvin Yaltir / 11. Comedy and Humour within the Punk Subculture, Russ Bestley / 12. Tiririca, the clown: a true story,Constantino Pereira Martins

Editorial Reviews

This rich, varied collection opens up new ways of thinking about the critical force of humour. Situated at a surprising place where theory and philosophy, politics and comedy, critique and resistance all meet, it combines sophisticated conceptual reflections with insightful case-studies drawn from stand-up, cartoons, performance art, literature and more. Fascinating, intriguing, and amusing it sets an agenda for activist theorists and practitioners across the disciplines.

Alan Finlayson

This fascinating book draws on current and recent critical theories to frame and contextualise individual chapters on - amongst others - satire, stand-up, cartoons, slapstick and the visual arts. The theories are clearly explained, often emphasising the playful uses of humour and comedy as a critical tool. Reading it has opened up new avenues in my own thinking about comedy.

Dr. Richard Cuming

This fascinating book draws on current and recent critical theories to frame and contextualise individual chapters on - amongst others - satire, stand-up, cartoons, slapstick and the visual arts. The theories are clearly explained, often emphasising the playful uses of humour and comedy as a critical tool. Reading it has opened up new avenues in my own thinking about comedy.

This rich, varied collection opens up new ways of thinking about the critical force of humour. Situated at a surprising place where theory and philosophy, politics and comedy, critique and resistance all meet, it combines sophisticated conceptual reflections with insightful case-studies drawn from stand-up, cartoons, performance art, literature and more. Fascinating, intriguing, and amusing it sets an agenda for activist theorists and practitioners across the disciplines.

From the Publisher

This fascinating book draws on current and recent critical theories to frame and contextualise individual chapters on - amongst others - satire, stand-up, cartoons, slapstick and the visual arts.The theories are clearly explained, often emphasising the playful uses of humour and comedy as a critical tool.Reading it has opened up new avenues in my own thinking about comedy.

Richard Cuming