After a short introduction to the state of humour research in general, this thesis is going to give an overview about the different humour theories and types of humour. After a short excursion to Stars Hollow and the setting of GILMORE GIRLS, the actual study of humour in GILMORE GIRLS on the basis of the 21 episodes of season one will follow. In that last part I will try to examine what exactly is so humorous about the GILMORE GIRLS and if any conclusions can be drawn on what Americans in general find humorous and what they laugh about.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Humour and humour research
- 2.1 Definition
- 2.2 Theories of humour
- 2.2.1 Superiority theories
- 2.2.2 Incongruity theories
- 2.2.3 Release/relief theories
- 2.2.4 Other theories
- 2.3 Context
- 2.4 Functions of humour
- 2.4.1 Psychological and physiological functions
- 2.4.2 Social functions
- 2.4.3 Interpersonal functions
- 3. GILMORE GIRLS
- 3.1 Overview about the series
- 3.1.1 Setting
- 3.1.2 Background
- 3.2 Comedy Drama
- 3.2.1 Genre
- 3.2.2 Conceptual characteristics
- 3.3 Humour in GILMORE GIRLS
- 3.1 Overview about the series
- 4. The Study
- 4.1 Categories
- 4.2 The Episodes
- 4.3 Summary
Objectives and Key Themes
This thesis aims to explore the humor present in the TV series "Gilmore Girls," analyzing its various forms and functions within the context of the show. It examines existing theories of humor and applies them to specific examples from the series. The study focuses on the first season, analyzing selected episodes to identify recurring humorous elements and their impact on the overall narrative and comedic effect.
- Theories of Humor: The thesis investigates different theories of humor, such as superiority, incongruity, and relief theories, to understand the mechanisms behind the humor in "Gilmore Girls."
- Types of Humor in "Gilmore Girls": The study identifies and categorizes the various types of humor used in the series, such as witty dialogue, situational comedy, and character-driven humor.
- Contextual Factors: The influence of the show's setting, characters, and narrative structure on the comedic effect is analyzed.
- Cultural Aspects: The thesis explores the cultural context of the humor, considering what aspects might resonate specifically with an American audience.
- Functions of Humor: The role of humor in shaping the show's narrative, developing characters, and creating audience engagement is examined.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by highlighting the pervasive nature of humor in everyday life and the mass media. It emphasizes the subjective and context-dependent nature of humor, acknowledging the challenges in making generalizations about what constitutes humor. The chapter outlines the thesis's structure, previewing an exploration of humor theories, an overview of "Gilmore Girls," and a detailed analysis of the humor within the first season of the show. The chapter establishes a foundation for the subsequent investigation into the complexities of humor and its representation in the selected TV series.
2. Humour and humour research: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of existing humor research, beginning with definitions of humor and progressing into a detailed exploration of various prominent humor theories. It delves into superiority, incongruity, and release/relief theories, comparing and contrasting their approaches to understanding what makes something funny. The chapter also examines the role of context in shaping humorous interpretations and discusses the diverse psychological, social, and interpersonal functions of humor, setting the theoretical groundwork for the subsequent analysis of "Gilmore Girls."
3. GILMORE GIRLS: This chapter offers a detailed introduction to the TV series "Gilmore Girls," providing background information on its setting in Stars Hollow and detailing the show's genre as a comedy-drama. It explores the conceptual characteristics of the show's comedic elements, laying the groundwork for the upcoming analysis of humor within the series. The chapter analyzes the show's unique blend of fast-paced dialogue, quirky characters, and relatable situations, which contribute to its overall comedic appeal. The chapter establishes the series' context as crucial to understanding the nuances of its humor.
4. The Study: This chapter outlines the methodology used to analyze humor in "Gilmore Girls." It describes the categorization system employed to identify and classify different types of humor found within the selected episodes from the first season. This chapter details the specific episodes analyzed, providing a framework for the systematic examination of the series' comedic elements. The chapter emphasizes the careful selection process used to ensure a representative sample of the series’ humor. The chapter prepares the reader for the in-depth analysis that follows.
Keywords
Humor, comedy, Gilmore Girls, humor theories, superiority theory, incongruity theory, relief theory, context, functions of humor, television, comedy-drama, American culture, dialogue, situational comedy, character-driven humor, narrative analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions: Gilmore Girls Humor Analysis
What is the main topic of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a thesis exploring humor in the TV series "Gilmore Girls." It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The thesis analyzes various forms and functions of humor in the show, applying existing humor theories to specific examples from the first season.
What are the key themes explored in the thesis?
The thesis explores several key themes, including different theories of humor (superiority, incongruity, and relief theories), the various types of humor used in "Gilmore Girls" (witty dialogue, situational comedy, character-driven humor), the influence of context (setting, characters, narrative structure) on the comedic effect, cultural aspects of the humor (specifically relating to an American audience), and the functions of humor in shaping the narrative, developing characters, and engaging the audience.
What is the structure of the thesis?
The thesis is structured into four chapters: Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the study of humor and the show. Chapter 2 reviews existing humor research and theories. Chapter 3 introduces "Gilmore Girls" and its comedic elements. Chapter 4 details the methodology and analysis of humor within selected episodes of the first season.
Which humor theories are discussed?
The thesis examines several prominent humor theories, including superiority theories, incongruity theories, and release/relief theories. These theories are applied to understand the mechanisms behind the humor in "Gilmore Girls."
What types of humor are analyzed in "Gilmore Girls"?
The analysis identifies and categorizes various types of humor present in "Gilmore Girls," such as witty dialogue, situational comedy, and character-driven humor.
What is the role of context in the analysis?
The thesis emphasizes the importance of context in understanding the humor. The analysis considers how the show's setting, characters, narrative structure, and cultural background influence the comedic effect.
What is the methodology used in the study?
The study uses a categorical system to identify and classify different types of humor in selected episodes from the first season of "Gilmore Girls." The chapter detailing the study describes the specific episodes chosen and the rationale behind the selection process, ensuring a representative sample of the series' humor.
What are the keywords associated with this thesis?
Keywords include: Humor, comedy, Gilmore Girls, humor theories, superiority theory, incongruity theory, relief theory, context, functions of humor, television, comedy-drama, American culture, dialogue, situational comedy, character-driven humor, narrative analysis.
What is the overall aim of the thesis?
The thesis aims to explore and analyze the humor present in "Gilmore Girls," examining its various forms and functions within the show's context, applying relevant humor theories, and considering the cultural and contextual factors influencing its comedic impact.
What is covered in each chapter?
The chapter summaries provide detailed information on the content of each chapter. Chapter 1 sets the stage, Chapter 2 reviews humor theories, Chapter 3 introduces "Gilmore Girls," and Chapter 4 details the study's methodology and analysis.
- Citation du texte
- Claudia Uhlig (Auteur), 2009, Humour in the TV series 'Gilmore girls', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/145253
