This study analyzes four novels and one short story in English, all of which assign a special role to irony and humor. The purpose of this analysis is to showcase the richness of irony and examine its impact on the reader. To support this, some of the most influential works on laughter and humor are discussed, including Bergson’s "Das Lachen", Freud’s "Der Witz und seine Beziehung zum Unbewussten", and Bachtin’s "Literatur und Karneval". These theories illustrate how irony and humor can serve as powerful tools for social critique. By engaging their audience through laughter, authors are able to deliver a more or less bitter commentary on their world—challenging taboos and clichés without offending the sensibilities of their communities.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1 Postcolonial or New Literatures in English?
- 1.2 "The Empire writes back"
- 2. S.V. Naipaul: laughing at the centre, criticizing the periphery
- 2.1 The Narrator's strategies in The Mystic Masseur
- 2.2 Who is the mimic product?
- 2.3 A confrontation: the fictional encounter of the coloniser and the colonised
- 3. Sam Selvon: the transcultural society in Moses Ascending
- 3.1 London: the Empire goes home
- 3.2 Crossing different boundaries, sharing the same destiny
- 4. The origins of Native Literature
- 4.1 Transcultural Canada
- 4.2 A hybrid Far West: Yankees at the Sun Dance
- 4.2.1 Marrying the Other: Latisha and George
- 4.2.2 An Indian Duel: Charlie and Lionel
- 4.2.3 Future Woman
- 5. White Teeth: a hybrid Empire
- 5.1 Women laugh back
- 5.1.1 Female Islam
- 5.1.2 Transcultural pregnancies
Objectives and Key Themes
This thesis analyzes the role of humor and irony in New Literatures in English, particularly within a postcolonial context. It challenges the assumption of a passive, mimicking colonized subject by exploring instances where the colonized "laughs back" at the colonizer, using irony as a tool for indirect criticism. The study moves beyond a simple "center-periphery" model to encompass the complexities of transcultural interactions. * The use of humor and irony as resistant strategies in postcolonial literature. * The complexities of mimicry and its subversion in the context of colonialism. * The exploration of transcultural identities and experiences. * The representation of power dynamics between colonizer and colonized. * The examination of humor and irony as tools for social critique.Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the theoretical framework for the thesis, drawing on Homi Bhabha's concept of mimicry and Linda Hutcheon's work on irony. It posits a central question: What happens when the colonized subject uses irony and humor to challenge the colonizer's power? The chapter emphasizes the importance of analyzing humor and irony not just as literary devices but as social and political strategies within the context of New Literatures in English, expanding beyond solely postcolonial literature to encompass diverse historical and social contexts. It introduces the "writing back" discourse but also suggests an expansion to a transcultural perspective, foreshadowing the broader scope of the analysis. 2. S.V. Naipaul: laughing at the centre, criticizing the periphery: This chapter focuses on the works of V.S. Naipaul, analyzing how his narratives employ humor and irony to critique colonial power dynamics. It examines the narrator's strategies in *The Mystic Masseur*, exploring the complexities of mimicry and the question of who truly benefits from the mimicking process. The chapter delves into the fictional encounters between colonizer and colonized, highlighting the nuanced ways in which humor and irony are used to expose power imbalances and societal hypocrisy. 3. Sam Selvon: the transcultural society in Moses Ascending: This chapter shifts the focus to Sam Selvon's *Moses Ascending*, investigating how the novel portrays the transcultural experiences of individuals navigating life in London. The analysis explores the "Empire goes home" theme, examining how the novel uses humor and irony to represent the complexities of migration, cultural adaptation, and the ongoing impact of colonialism on identities and social dynamics. The chapter also examines how Selvon’s work transcends simple binaries, showcasing the shared destinies and intertwined experiences across different cultural backgrounds. 4. The origins of Native Literature: This chapter explores the development of Native literatures, particularly focusing on the transcultural context of Canada and the hybridity of the American Far West. It analyses how indigenous writers use humor and irony to address historical injustices and cultural clashes. Specific examples from the text, such as the stories of Latisha and George, Charlie and Lionel, and the "Future Woman," are highlighted to showcase the multifaceted ways in which these themes are explored through humor and irony. The chapter further emphasizes the creation of a new, hybrid identity resulting from the blending of cultures and traditions. 5. White Teeth: a hybrid Empire: This chapter analyzes Zadie Smith's *White Teeth*, focusing on the portrayal of women and their use of humor and irony to negotiate their identities within a hybrid imperial context. It examines themes of Female Islam and transcultural pregnancies, highlighting the intersection of gender, religion, and cultural identity, and how these aspects are examined and challenged using humor and irony. The chapter demonstrates how the novel offers a complex and nuanced portrayal of postcolonial identity and challenges traditional notions of power structures.Keywords
Humor, irony, postcolonial literature, New Literatures in English, mimicry, transculturalism, colonialism, power dynamics, social critique, V.S. Naipaul, Sam Selvon, Zadie Smith, resistance, hybridity.
Frequently asked questions
What is the focus of this language preview?
This language preview provides an overview of a thesis that analyzes the role of humor and irony in New Literatures in English, particularly within a postcolonial context. It examines how colonized subjects use humor and irony as resistant strategies, exploring the complexities of mimicry and transcultural identities.
What are the main themes explored in the thesis?
The key themes include the use of humor and irony as resistance, the subversion of mimicry, the exploration of transcultural identities, the representation of power dynamics, and the use of humor and irony for social critique.
Which authors and texts are analyzed in detail?
The thesis focuses on the works of V.S. Naipaul (*The Mystic Masseur*), Sam Selvon (*Moses Ascending*), and Zadie Smith (*White Teeth*). It also considers the origins of Native Literature, particularly in the Canadian context and the American Far West.
What is the central argument of the introductory chapter?
The introductory chapter establishes the theoretical framework, drawing on concepts of mimicry and irony, and asks how colonized subjects use irony and humor to challenge the colonizer's power. It broadens the scope to include diverse historical and social contexts beyond purely postcolonial literature, focusing on a transcultural perspective.
How does the chapter on S.V. Naipaul approach his work?
The chapter on Naipaul analyzes how his narratives use humor and irony to critique colonial power dynamics. It examines the narrator's strategies in *The Mystic Masseur* and explores the complexities of mimicry and power imbalances.
What does the chapter on Sam Selvon's *Moses Ascending* explore?
This chapter examines the transcultural experiences of individuals in London as portrayed in *Moses Ascending*. It explores themes of migration, cultural adaptation, and the impact of colonialism, and it highlights the interconnectedness of different cultural backgrounds.
What is the focus of the chapter on Native Literature?
The chapter on Native Literature explores the development of Native literatures, particularly focusing on the transcultural context of Canada and the hybridity of the American Far West. It analyses how indigenous writers use humor and irony to address historical injustices and cultural clashes.
What aspects of Zadie Smith's *White Teeth* are analyzed?
The chapter on *White Teeth* focuses on the portrayal of women and their use of humor and irony to negotiate their identities within a hybrid imperial context. It examines themes of Female Islam and transcultural pregnancies, highlighting the intersection of gender, religion, and cultural identity.
What are the keywords associated with this thesis?
The keywords include humor, irony, postcolonial literature, New Literatures in English, mimicry, transculturalism, colonialism, power dynamics, social critique, V.S. Naipaul, Sam Selvon, Zadie Smith, resistance, and hybridity.
- Quote paper
- Margherita Zelante (Author), 2005, The Empire laughs back. Humour and Irony in the New Literatures in English, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1574741
