Even 30 years after its first debut on BBC 2 Fawlty Towers is still "a high-water-mark in television comedy" (Perry 1994: 75). The show won various prizes, for example the Award for Best Comedy Series in both years when it was broadcasted, in 1975 for the first series and in 1979 for the second. As further proof of its popularity one may take a look at the high viewer rates of the repetitions still shown and the presence of catch phrases (e.g. "He’s from Barcelona" or "Don’t mention the war") within the British public’s mind. The reasons for the success are various: well written scripts with dialogs that show a clear Monty Python tradition and unpredictable plots that give no clue of the end up to the final scene. Furthermore, the performance and comedy timing of John Cleese as Basil Fawlty or the extraordinary character of the waiter Manuel make Fawlty Towers unforgettable. Another source of success are the numerous conflicts within the series. These conflicts fuel the plot and the conflict between Basil and Sybil is the main theme of many episodes. Therefore analyzing and categorizing the conflicts is of great importance to understand the motives and aims of the characters in Fawlty Towers. The question that arises then is: what kind of conflicts are shown in Fawlty Towers?
The answer to this question cannot be found in any secondary literature but has to be looked for in the series itself. Some little help can be found in Reinhard Gratzke’s epilogue in a printed version of John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers or in Robert Langston’s book about John Cleese. But with only twelve episodes produced there is not much academic literature available about Fawlty Towers. A closer look at the constellation of the characters, their conflicts and the interaction of the characters that takes place will therefore be the main basis of the analysis. The following categorization of conflicts is the result of the effort to structure the material into conflicts that are essentially of the same type, although they may appear in numerous variations throughout the series. These categories are defined within each paragraph. To facilitate further research the episode the conflict appears will be listed in parenthesis after a quotation.
Table of Contents
- Conflicts in general
- Conflicts in Fawlty Towers
- Gender Conflict
- Definition of Gender Conflict
- Gender Conflicts in Fawlty Towers
- Solutions to Gender Conflicts
- Jealousy Conflict
- Definition of Jealousy Conflict
- Jealousy Conflicts in Fawlty Towers
- Solutions to Jealousy Conflicts
- Generation Conflict
- Definition of Generation Conflict
- Generation Conflicts in Fawlty Towers
- Solutions to Generation Conflicts
- Cultural Conflict
- Definition of Cultural Conflict
- Cultural Conflicts in Fawlty Towers
- German Culture (The Germans)
- American Culture (Waldorf Salad)
- Class Conflict
- Definition of Class Conflict
- Class Conflicts in Fawlty Towers
- Solution to Class Conflicts
- Professional Conflict
- Definition of Professional Conflict
- Professional Conflicts in Fawlty Towers
- Solutions to professional conflicts in Fawlty Towers
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the various types of conflicts depicted in the British sitcom Fawlty Towers. It seeks to categorize these conflicts and examine their role in driving the plot and shaping the characters' motivations. The analysis focuses on the inherent nature of these conflicts within the series and their persistent presence throughout the episodes.
- The nature of conflict in sitcoms and drama
- Categorization of conflict types in Fawlty Towers
- Analysis of gender conflict between Basil and Sybil Fawlty
- Exploration of other conflict types, including jealousy, generation, cultural, class, and professional conflicts
- The role of conflict in maintaining the comedic structure of the show
Chapter Summaries
Conflicts in general: This chapter establishes the fundamental importance of conflict in dramatic works, particularly in comedies and sitcoms. It defines conflict as an opposition creating unease and demanding resolution, which can manifest within a character's mind, between characters, or between a character and their social group. The chapter emphasizes that the strength of the conflict directly correlates with audience interest, citing Hodgson (1988) and Bernard Shaw to support this assertion. The chapter lays the groundwork for analyzing the diverse conflicts within Fawlty Towers by highlighting the crucial role conflict plays in narrative structure and audience engagement.
Conflicts in Fawlty Towers: This section examines how Fawlty Towers, as a TV sitcom, adapts dramatic structures and rules for the television medium. It highlights the established main conflicts and characters, emphasizing their consistency across episodes despite variations in their presentation and the involvement of other characters. The chapter notes the significant role of guest characters in fueling these conflicts, introducing new aspects and dimensions. Crucially, it points out the impossibility and unintended absence of conflict resolution within the short episode format, contrasting it with the possibility of character development and resolution seen in longer dramatic works. The perpetual nature of the conflicts is identified as essential to the ongoing narrative of the series.
Gender Conflict: This chapter focuses on the definition and manifestation of gender conflict within Fawlty Towers, primarily through the relationship between Basil and Sybil Fawlty. It defines gender conflict as arising when characters deviate from societal gender roles or challenge traditional hierarchical structures between sexes. The chapter then details the power dynamic between Basil and Sybil, highlighting how Sybil and Polly often effectively manage the hotel despite Basil's self-proclaimed managerial position. Basil's inability to handle simple tasks and his attempts to hide his failures from Sybil showcase his adherence to outdated gender roles, contrasting sharply with Sybil's competency and comfort in taking charge. This creates a central comedic tension.
Keywords
Fawlty Towers, sitcom, conflict, gender conflict, jealousy conflict, generation conflict, cultural conflict, class conflict, professional conflict, character analysis, comedic structure, television comedy, narrative analysis.
Fawlty Towers Conflict Analysis: Frequently Asked Questions
What is this document about?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a paper analyzing various types of conflicts depicted in the British sitcom Fawlty Towers. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The analysis focuses on categorizing these conflicts and examining their role in driving the plot and shaping the characters' motivations within the show's episodic format.
What types of conflicts are analyzed in the paper?
The paper analyzes several types of conflict present in Fawlty Towers, including: gender conflict (primarily between Basil and Sybil Fawlty), jealousy conflict, generation conflict, cultural conflict (exploring examples from German and American cultures), class conflict, and professional conflict. The analysis considers how these conflicts contribute to the show's comedic structure and narrative.
How does the paper define conflict?
The paper defines conflict as an opposition that creates unease and demands resolution. This conflict can manifest internally within a character, between characters, or between a character and their social group. The intensity of the conflict is directly related to audience engagement.
What is the role of conflict in Fawlty Towers' comedic structure?
The paper argues that the perpetual nature of unresolved conflicts is essential to the ongoing narrative of Fawlty Towers. The short episode format prevents complete conflict resolution, yet the consistent presence of these conflicts, often fueled by guest characters, maintains the comedic tension and audience interest.
What is the focus of the gender conflict analysis?
The gender conflict analysis centers on the relationship between Basil and Sybil Fawlty. It examines how their interactions challenge traditional gender roles and power dynamics. Sybil's competence in managing the hotel despite Basil's position highlights this imbalance and creates a central comedic tension.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the nature of conflict in sitcoms and drama, the categorization of conflict types in Fawlty Towers, the analysis of specific conflict types (gender, jealousy, generation, cultural, class, and professional), and the role of conflict in maintaining the show's comedic structure.
What is the methodology used in the analysis?
The analysis categorizes and examines the various conflicts within Fawlty Towers, highlighting their consistency across episodes and their impact on character motivations and plot development. It draws upon established theories of dramatic structure and conflict resolution.
What are the chapter summaries included in the preview?
The preview includes summaries for chapters on conflicts in general, conflicts in Fawlty Towers, and gender conflict. These summaries provide an overview of the key arguments and findings within each chapter.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Fawlty Towers, sitcom, conflict, gender conflict, jealousy conflict, generation conflict, cultural conflict, class conflict, professional conflict, character analysis, comedic structure, television comedy, and narrative analysis.
- Quote paper
- Alexander Grewe (Author), 2005, "I'm sick to death with you..." or External Character Conflicts in Fawlty Towers, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/45491
