Comedy and the Politics of Representation Mocking the Weak

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Synopsis

This edited collection explores the representations of identity in comedy and interrogates the ways in which “humorous” constructions of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, class and disability raise serious issues about privilege, agency and oppression in popular culture. Should there be limits to free speech when humour is aimed at marginalised social groups? What are the limits of free speech when comedy pokes fun at those who hold social power? Can taboo joking be used towards politically progressive ends? Can stereotypes be mocked through their re-invocation? Comedy and the Politics of Representation: Mocking the Weak breaks new theoretical ground by demonstrating how the way people are represented mediates the triadic relationship set up in comedy between teller, audience and butt of the joke. By bringing together a selection of essays from international scholars, this study unpacks and examines the dynamic role that humour plays in making and remaking identity and power relations in culture and society.

Book details

Series:
Palgrave Studies in Comedy
Author:
Helen Davies, Sarah Ilott
ISBN:
9783319905068
Related ISBNs:
9783319905051
Publisher:
Springer International Publishing
Pages:
N/A
Reading age:
Not specified
Includes images:
No
Date of addition:
2018-09-17
Usage restrictions:
Copyright
Copyright date:
2018
Copyright by:
N/A 
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Categories:
Disability-Related, Nonfiction, Politics and Government, Social Studies