Original scientific paper
Structural Analysis of Situational Humour in Jesenský's Smalltown Stories
Abstract
This paper presents the structural elements of the humorous sketches through which Janko Jesenský, a Slovakian author from the period of second-wave realism, gives his account of the Slovakian social and political life of the time. The text corpus used for this study is the collection of humorous sketches Smalltown Stories. The main features of Jesenský’s humour are highlighted in the paper, such as the role of humour as a corrective tool, the author’s ambivalence in depicting reality and elements of the fantastic. These features serve as a starting point for the analysis of the structural elements, which include the role of the narrator, descriptions, monologues and dialogues, of which the most emblematic examples are presented. The narrator can assume various roles, such as that of a hidden observer; a less than objective narrator, even a subjective one, whose goal is to redicule the character to a greater or lesser degree (or to choose not to); He can also be an ironic narrator; a narrator who is aware or unaware of the situational humour and a narrator who is a regulator as well as a coordinator of the sources and repercussions of change prompted by comedic effect. By describing the humorous interrelations between the characters and their feelings, behaviour, various objects and nature, Jesenský creates comedic effect. The humorous tone of the dialogues and monologues showcase the naïveté, impatience and gullibility of the characters and the interplay between the character’s thoughts and views, as well as their inner life.
Keywords
humour; comedic effect; Janko Jesenský; Smalltown Stories; structure
Hrčak ID:
254106
URI
Publication date:
1.3.2021.
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