Laughter and CultureLaughter and Culture

Prof: A. ElhalouiProf: A. Elhaloui

1.1. What are some of the things that make What are some of the things that make us laugh in the contemporary culture?us laugh in the contemporary culture?

2.2. Why do we laugh at them?Why do we laugh at them?

Two Two sheepsheep in a field. One says to in a field. One says to the other: the other: "BA AAA BA AAAA BA "BA AAA BA AAAA BA AAA".AAA". The other says: "Blimey, I The other says: "Blimey, I was going to say that".was going to say that".

What’s exactly funny What’s exactly funny about jokes?about jokes?

During the 2nd ww, Hitler, Mussolini and Franco wereDuring the 2nd ww, Hitler, Mussolini and Franco were traveling on the same plane.They were discussingtraveling on the same plane.They were discussing the people they governed and each one claimed his ppl the people they governed and each one claimed his ppl are the most fervid patriots. To resolve the question, they are the most fervid patriots. To resolve the question, they agreed on this: the plane would fly over Berlin, Rome agreed on this: the plane would fly over Berlin, Rome and Madrid, a feather would be dropped on each cityand Madrid, a feather would be dropped on each cityand whoever it would fall on was to commit suicide, thus and whoever it would fall on was to commit suicide, thus proving their total commitment to teir counteries. proving their total commitment to teir counteries. First the plane flew on Berlin, few minutes a shot was First the plane flew on Berlin, few minutes a shot was Heard. Then the plane flew on Rome, few minutes a Heard. Then the plane flew on Rome, few minutes a shot was heard. Finally, the Plane flew over Madrid. shot was heard. Finally, the Plane flew over Madrid. A feather was dropped and nothing was heard. The plane A feather was dropped and nothing was heard. The plane swooped down towards the city to see what had swooped down towards the city to see what had happened. Thousands of Spaniards were busy blowing happened. Thousands of Spaniards were busy blowing the feather as far away from themselves as possible.the feather as far away from themselves as possible.

Humans, in the contemporary culture, still find Humans, in the contemporary culture, still find jokes funny, exactly like their ancestors. jokes funny, exactly like their ancestors. Laughter seems to be a universal faculty of Laughter seems to be a universal faculty of humans.humans.

Tongue twisterTongue twister

Once upon a barren moor Once upon a barren moor There dwelt a bear, also a boar, There dwelt a bear, also a boar,

The bear could not bear the boar, The bear could not bear the boar, The bear thought the boar was a bore. The bear thought the boar was a bore.

At last the bear could bear no more At last the bear could bear no more That boar that bored him on the moor. That boar that bored him on the moor. And so one morn he bored the boar- And so one morn he bored the boar-

That boar will bore no more!That boar will bore no more!

What’s exactly funny What’s exactly funny about tongue twister?about tongue twister?

Humans, in the contemporary culture, still find Humans, in the contemporary culture, still find tongue twisters funny, exactly like their tongue twisters funny, exactly like their ancestors. Laughter seems to be a universal ancestors. Laughter seems to be a universal faculty of humans.faculty of humans.

What’s exactly funny What’s exactly funny about a clown?about a clown?

Clown, merry-andrew, etc.Clown, merry-andrew, etc.

Humans, in the contemporary culture, still find Humans, in the contemporary culture, still find tongue clowns funny, exactly like their tongue clowns funny, exactly like their ancestors. Laughter seems to be a universal ancestors. Laughter seems to be a universal faculty of humans.faculty of humans.

What’s exactly funny What’s exactly funny about cartoons?about cartoons?

From a charming smile ...From a charming smile ...

To Hilarious laughter!To Hilarious laughter!

In LiteratureIn Literature

In her In her Sense and SensibilitySense and Sensibility, Jane Austen , Jane Austen mocks the feelings of sensibility expressed by mocks the feelings of sensibility expressed by Marianne through the voice of Elinor.Marianne through the voice of Elinor.

‘ ‘and how does dear, dear Norland look?’ and how does dear, dear Norland look?’ cried Marianne.cried Marianne.

‘‘Dear, dear NorlandDear, dear Norland’’, said Elinor, , said Elinor, ‘‘probably probably looks as it always does at this time of looks as it always does at this time of year. The woods and walks thickly year. The woods and walks thickly covered with dead leaves.covered with dead leaves.’‘oh!, cried ’‘oh!, cried Marianne, ‘With what transporting sensations Marianne, ‘With what transporting sensations have I formerly seen them fall! have I formerly seen them fall!

IronyIrony

• In the following passage Cleopatra taunts her lover In the following passage Cleopatra taunts her lover Antony when a messenger comes from Rome with Antony when a messenger comes from Rome with possible news from his wife or orders from Caesar:possible news from his wife or orders from Caesar:

Nay, hear them, Antony.Nay, hear them, Antony.Fulvia perchance is angry; or who Fulvia perchance is angry; or who

knowsknowsIf the scarce-bearded Caesar have If the scarce-bearded Caesar have

not sentnot sentHis pow'rful mandate to you: "Do His pow'rful mandate to you: "Do

this, or this;this, or this;Take in that kingdom, and Take in that kingdom, and

enfranchise that;enfranchise that;Perform't, or else we damn thee."Perform't, or else we damn thee."

——Antony and CleopatraAntony and Cleopatra 1.1.19-24 1.1.19-24

SarcasmSarcasm

Epitrope:Epitrope: the (apparent) admission of what the (apparent) admission of what is wrong in order to carry our point. is wrong in order to carry our point.

• Go ahead, make Go ahead, make my day... my day...

• Rejoice, O young man, in Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all know thou, that for all these things God will bring these things God will bring thee into judgment. thee into judgment.

The Ten Things I Hate The Ten Things I Hate about youabout you

• 10 Things I Hate About You10 Things I Hate About You is a 1999 is a 1999 American romantic comedy film. A loose American romantic comedy film. A loose adaptation of Shakespeare's adaptation of Shakespeare's The Taming The Taming of the Shrewof the Shrew set in a modern American set in a modern American high school. high school.

Laughter mixed with tearsLaughter mixed with tears

I hate the way you talk to me the way you talk to meand the way you cut your hair.and the way you cut your hair.

I hate the way you drive my car;I hate the way you drive my car;I hate it when you stare.I hate it when you stare.

I hate your big dumb combat bootsI hate your big dumb combat bootsand the way you read my mind.and the way you read my mind.

I hate you so much it makes me sick.I hate you so much it makes me sick.It even makes me rhyme.It even makes me rhyme.

I hate it -- I hate the way you're always right;I hate it -- I hate the way you're always right;I hate it when you lie.I hate it when you lie.

I hate it when you make me laugh;I hate it when you make me laugh;even worse when you make me cry.even worse when you make me cry.

I hate it when you're not aroundI hate it when you're not aroundand the fact that you didn't call.and the fact that you didn't call.

But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you --But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you --not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.

Antiphrasis:Antiphrasis: Irony of one word, often Irony of one word, often derisively through patent contradiction. derisively through patent contradiction.

Here is a midget for Here is a midget for you!you!

Humans, in the contemporary culture, still find Humans, in the contemporary culture, still find have different forms of fun, exactly like their have different forms of fun, exactly like their ancestors. Laughter seems to be a universal ancestors. Laughter seems to be a universal faculty of humans.faculty of humans.

Henri BergsonHenri Bergson

• ““What does laughter mean? What is What does laughter mean? What is the basal the basal elementelement in the laughable? What in the laughable? What common common groundground can we find between the grimace of a can we find between the grimace of a merry-andrew, a play upon words, an merry-andrew, a play upon words, an equivocal situation in a burlesque and a scene equivocal situation in a burlesque and a scene of high comedy?” of high comedy?”

Bergson’s QuestionBergson’s Question

• Bergson has three ideas about laughter:Bergson has three ideas about laughter:

1.1. Comedy is necessarily human: we laugh at Comedy is necessarily human: we laugh at people or the things they do. people or the things they do.

2.2. Being able to laugh seems to require a Being able to laugh seems to require a detached attitude, an emotional distance to detached attitude, an emotional distance to the object of laughter. the object of laughter.

3.3. Laughter has a social function. Laughter has a social function.

"Blimey, it's hot in here""Blimey, it's hot in here"

Arrgggh! A talking egg"!Arrgggh! A talking egg"!

!!Why is this joke Why is this joke funny?funny? What is in it that makes What is in it that makes us laugh? One possibility is that it involves an us laugh? One possibility is that it involves an absurdityabsurdity: a talking egg shocked when she : a talking egg shocked when she heard another egg talking.heard another egg talking.

I turned on the system like you told me I turned on the system like you told me to but I still can’t see the start up screen to but I still can’t see the start up screen

you’re talking about!you’re talking about!

14 plus 10 makes 26.14 plus 10 makes 26.

laughablelaughable

Laughable?!Laughable?!

Absurdities do not make us Absurdities do not make us laugh in themselves, and we laugh in themselves, and we need a description of the need a description of the process that starts with process that starts with observing an absurdity and observing an absurdity and ends up with laughing. ends up with laughing.

• Bergson suggests that laugheter is to be Bergson suggests that laugheter is to be defined in terms of its utility: what it defined in terms of its utility: what it serves.serves.

Laughter’s UtilityLaughter’s Utility

• Specifically, comedy Specifically, comedy servesserves society society by by pointing out our anti-social tendenciespointing out our anti-social tendencies and and inviting us to laugh at them, thus inviting us to laugh at them, thus encouraging us to correct them. encouraging us to correct them.

What is laughter then?What is laughter then?

• ““[…] […] something mechanical in something mechanical in something livingsomething living;; in fact, something in fact, something comic.” This is how Bergson in effect comic.” This is how Bergson in effect defines his concept of the comic.defines his concept of the comic.

• We laugh at people when they behave in a We laugh at people when they behave in a way that gives the appearance of a simple way that gives the appearance of a simple mechanismmechanism..

• Ordinarily we expect people to observe what Ordinarily we expect people to observe what is happening around them and to adapt their is happening around them and to adapt their behavior accordingly. behavior accordingly.

• When someone is lacking in the ability to do When someone is lacking in the ability to do this, we laugh at him. The way laughter works this, we laugh at him. The way laughter works as a corrective is obvious: as a corrective is obvious: “Its function is to “Its function is to intimidate by humiliating.” intimidate by humiliating.”

• Comic effect, according to Bergson, is a Comic effect, according to Bergson, is a result of bringing together two oppsite result of bringing together two oppsite aspects aspects in a single combination: in a single combination:

1.1. The illusion of life and The illusion of life and 2.2. The distinct impression of a mechanical The distinct impression of a mechanical

arrangement. arrangement.

• To give the impression of a mechanical To give the impression of a mechanical arrangement in a flowing situation, comic arrangement in a flowing situation, comic authors use different devices in writing comedy:authors use different devices in writing comedy:

1.1. repetition, repetition, 2.2. inversion and inversion and 3.3. reciprocal interference of seriesreciprocal interference of series

• B traces these techniques back to children’s B traces these techniques back to children’s toys and games:toys and games:

1.1. the jack-in-the-box: the jack-in-the-box: repetitionrepetition2.2. the marionette and: the marionette and: inversion inversion 3.3. the snowball: the snowball: reciprocal interference of a series reciprocal interference of a series

Jack-in-the-boxJack-in-the-box

MarionetteMarionette

snowballsnowball

The Point ...The Point ...• The idea is that The idea is that “there can be no break in “there can be no break in

continuity between the child’s delight in continuity between the child’s delight in games and that of the grown-up person”games and that of the grown-up person”. .

• Both the toymaker and the comedy Both the toymaker and the comedy playwright are involved in the business of playwright are involved in the business of making arrangements that give us making arrangements that give us ““in a in a single combination, the illusion of life and single combination, the illusion of life and the distinct impression of a mechanical the distinct impression of a mechanical arrangementarrangement”.”.

• Let us see examples of how each Let us see examples of how each one of these three mecahnisms work.one of these three mecahnisms work.

MarionetteMarionette• There are innumerable comedies in which There are innumerable comedies in which

one of the characters one of the characters thinksthinks he is he is speaking and acting freely, and, speaking and acting freely, and, consequently, retains all the essentials of consequently, retains all the essentials of life, whereas, viewed from a certain life, whereas, viewed from a certain standpoint, he appears as standpoint, he appears as a mere toya mere toy in in the hands of another who is playing with the hands of another who is playing with him.him.

• This technique has been exploited by This technique has been exploited by some ads such the following ones. some ads such the following ones.

• Punch and Judy show:Punch and Judy show: No sooner does the No sooner does the policeman put in an appearance on the stage policeman put in an appearance on the stage than, naturally enough, he receives a blow than, naturally enough, he receives a blow which fells him. He springs to his feet, a which fells him. He springs to his feet, a second blow lays him flat. A repetition of the second blow lays him flat. A repetition of the offence is followed by a repetition of the offence is followed by a repetition of the punishment. Up and down the constable punishment. Up and down the constable flops and hops with the uniform rhythm of the flops and hops with the uniform rhythm of the bending and release of a spring, whilst the bending and release of a spring, whilst the spectators laugh louder and louder.spectators laugh louder and louder.

RepetitionRepetition

RepetitionRepetition

The following animation is based on the The following animation is based on the same mechanism of repeating a sill same mechanism of repeating a sill action.action.

• From punishing the actual repetitive From punishing the actual repetitive person by laughing at him, we have found person by laughing at him, we have found ways to move to laughing at the ways to move to laughing at the principleprinciple of repetition.of repetition.

SnowballSnowball• The rolling snow-ball increases in size The rolling snow-ball increases in size

as it moves along. We might just as well as it moves along. We might just as well think of toy soldiers standing behind think of toy soldiers standing behind one another. Push the first and it one another. Push the first and it tumbles down on the second, this latter tumbles down on the second, this latter knocks down the third, and the state of knocks down the third, and the state of things goes from bad to worse until they things goes from bad to worse until they all lie prone on the floor.all lie prone on the floor.

• In the following Microsoft commercial, In the following Microsoft commercial, the snowball mechanism is used.the snowball mechanism is used.

Humans, in the contemporary culture, still find Humans, in the contemporary culture, still find tongue twisters funny, exactly like their tongue twisters funny, exactly like their ancestors. Laughter seems to be a universal ancestors. Laughter seems to be a universal faculty of humans.faculty of humans.