At Whom Are We Laughing?

At Whom Are We Laughing? PDF Author: Zenia Sacks DaSilva
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN: 1443864722
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 411

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Book Description
They say that laughter is a purely human phenomenon, so exclusively ours that we brook no intruders except, of course, for the laughing hyena, the laughing jackass (officially known as the kookaburra bird of Australia), laughing matters, laughing gas, or the perennial laughing stock. But what is humor, that funny thing so varied in its colors and tones, so encompassing in its themes, so different from time to time and place to place? And when we poke fun, at whom are we really laughing? At Whom Are We Laughing? Humor in Romance Language Literatures is the selective product of a multi-national gathering of scholars sponsored by Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, to explore humor across the centuries in the literatures of Italy, France, Romania, the Iberian Peninsula and its diaspora. The volume contains thirty-one scholarly and interpretative papers on diverse aspects of their wit, provocative aspects that are, for the most part, little known to the general reader. Precisely because of its scope and diversity, its appeal should extend beyond academia into the libraries of the intellectually curious, be they English speakers or not, be they specialists in humanities, psychology, society and culture, or merely interested amateurs who frequent the many new humor societies and clubs that abound in the world of today.

At Whom Are We Laughing?

At Whom Are We Laughing? PDF Author: Zenia Sacks DaSilva
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN: 1443864722
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 411

Get Book Here

Book Description
They say that laughter is a purely human phenomenon, so exclusively ours that we brook no intruders except, of course, for the laughing hyena, the laughing jackass (officially known as the kookaburra bird of Australia), laughing matters, laughing gas, or the perennial laughing stock. But what is humor, that funny thing so varied in its colors and tones, so encompassing in its themes, so different from time to time and place to place? And when we poke fun, at whom are we really laughing? At Whom Are We Laughing? Humor in Romance Language Literatures is the selective product of a multi-national gathering of scholars sponsored by Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, to explore humor across the centuries in the literatures of Italy, France, Romania, the Iberian Peninsula and its diaspora. The volume contains thirty-one scholarly and interpretative papers on diverse aspects of their wit, provocative aspects that are, for the most part, little known to the general reader. Precisely because of its scope and diversity, its appeal should extend beyond academia into the libraries of the intellectually curious, be they English speakers or not, be they specialists in humanities, psychology, society and culture, or merely interested amateurs who frequent the many new humor societies and clubs that abound in the world of today.

Political Satire, Postmodern Reality, and the Trump Presidency

Political Satire, Postmodern Reality, and the Trump Presidency PDF Author: Mehnaaz Momen
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1498592759
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 329

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Book Description
This book attempts to grasp the recent paradigm shift in American politics through the lens of satire. It connects changes in the political and cultural landscape to corresponding shifts in the structure and organization of the media, in order to shed light on the evolution of political satire on late-night television. Satire is situated in its historical background to comprehend its movement away from the fringes of discourse to the very center of politics and the media. Beginning in the 1990s, certain trends such as technological advances, media consolidation, and the globalization of communications reinforced each other, paving the way for satire to claim a prized spot in the visual media—a tendency that only gained strength after September 11. While the Bush presidency presented itself as an apposite target for satirists, their stronghold on American television was made possible by a number of transitions in broader culture, which are encapsulated in the shrinking space available for political engagement under neoliberalism. This largely underestimated development can be understood through the framework of postmodernism, which focuses on the relationship between language, power, and the presentation of reality. These trends and transitions reached a climax in the 2016 election where President Trump was elected, embodying what can only be considered a significant turning point in American politics. The bigger narrative contains various subplots represented in the rise of the neoliberal economy, the acceptance of postmodernism as the dominant cultural code, and the role of the voyeur superseding that of the engaged citizen. It is only through understanding each of these pieces and connecting them that we can comprehend the current political transformation. The present moment may feel like a golden age of satire, and it may well be, but this book addresses the hardest questions about the realities behind such a claim: what can we conclude about when and how satire is effective, judging by the history of this genre in its various incarnations, and how can the “apolitical” postmodern media landscape be reconciled with what the best of this genre has had to offer during times of political duress?

Laughing Gods, Weeping Virgins

Laughing Gods, Weeping Virgins PDF Author: Ingvild Saelid Gilhus
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134717679
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 199

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Book Description
Laughing Gods, Weeping Virgins analyses how laughter has been used as a symbol in myths, rituals and festivals of Western religions, and has thus been inscribed in religious discourse. The Mesopotamian Anu, the Israelite Jahweh, the Greek Dionysos, the Gnostic Christ and the late modern Jesus were all laughing gods. Through their laughter, gods prove both their superiority and their proximity to humans. In this comprehensive study, Professor Gilhus examines the relationship between corporeal human laughter and spiritual divine laughter from c`ussical antiquity, to the Christian West and the modern era. She combines the study of the history of religion with social-scientific approaches, to provide an original and pertinent exploration of a universal human phenomenon, and its significance for the development of religions.

Stop What You’re Doing and Read...To Make You Laugh: The Diary of a Nobody & Three Men in a Boat

Stop What You’re Doing and Read...To Make You Laugh: The Diary of a Nobody & Three Men in a Boat PDF Author: George Grossmith
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 1448130654
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 331

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Book Description
To mark the publication of Stop What You're Doing and Read This!, a collection of essays celebrating reading, Vintage Classics are releasing 12 limited edition themed ebook 'bundles', to tempt readers to discover and rediscover great books. THE DIARY OF A NOBODY Mr Charles Pooter is a respectable man. He has just moved into a very desirable home in Holloway with his dear wife Carrie, from where he commutes to his job of valued clerk at a reputable bank in the City. Unfortunately neither his dear friends Mr Cummings and Mr Gowing, nor the butcher, the greengrocer's boy, nor the Lord Mayor seem to recognise Mr Pooter's innate gentility, and his disappointing son Lupin has gone and got himself involved with a most unsuitable fiancee... George and Weedon Grossmith's comic novel, perfectly illustrated by Weedon, is a glorious, affectionate caricature of the English middle-class at the end of nineteenth century. THREE MEN IN A BOAT ILLUSTRATED BY VIC REEVES What could be more relaxing than a refreshing holiday on the river with your two best friends and faithful canine companion, Montmorency? However, as J. discovers, there is more to life on the waves than meets the eye - including navigational challenges, culinary disasters, and heroic battles with swans, kettles and tins of pineapple. Jerome K. Jerome's delightful novel has kept readers smiling for years and his prose has found a perfect partner in Vic Reeves's glorious and witty illustrations.

Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman PDF Author: Richard Maurice Bucke
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Poets, American
Languages : en
Pages : 330

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Book Description


Laugh Again Hope Again

Laugh Again Hope Again PDF Author: Charles R. Swindoll
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Inc
ISBN: 140020271X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 544

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Book Description
In this timely two-in-one volume, Swindoll helps readers rediscover two profound benefits of knowing God: joy and hope.

The Eclectic Magazine of Foreign Literature, Science, and Art

The Eclectic Magazine of Foreign Literature, Science, and Art PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 806

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Book Description


Washington

Washington PDF Author: Ethan Allen
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : United States
Languages : en
Pages : 574

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Book Description


She Can Laugh At The Days To Come: Proverbs 31 Woman The Journey

She Can Laugh At The Days To Come: Proverbs 31 Woman The Journey PDF Author: Priscilla Shumba
Publisher: Reinventing Perspectives
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 56

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Book Description
Embark on an empowering journey with 'She Can Laugh At The Days To Come,' a captivating exploration of the divine destiny that awaits every woman. Drawing inspiration from the timeless wisdom of the Bible, this book celebrates the Proverbs 31 woman—a symbol of strength, resilience, and unwavering faith. Discover the power of your unique path as you navigate the intricacies of life. While our stories may differ, they all converge upon the remarkable Proverbs 31 woman—a shining example of fearlessness, diligence, and abundant love. Immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of boldness, hard work, generosity, and genuine devotion to our Maker. With each page, you'll gain clarity and purpose, leaving an indelible mark along your own transformative journey. Let 'She Can Laugh At The Days To Come' illuminate your path, empowering you to embrace your true identity and unlock the boundless potential within. Unleash the woman you were destined to be and create a lasting legacy of love, laughter, and impact.

Riveted: The Science of Why Jokes Make Us Laugh, Movies Make Us Cry, and Religion Makes Us Feel One with the Universe

Riveted: The Science of Why Jokes Make Us Laugh, Movies Make Us Cry, and Religion Makes Us Feel One with the Universe PDF Author: Jim Davies
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 1137438142
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description
Why do some things pass under the radar of our attention, but other things capture our interest? Why do some religions catch on and others fade away? What makes a story, a movie, or a book riveting? Why do some people keep watching the news even though it makes them anxious? The past 20 years have seen a remarkable flourishing of scientific research into exactly these kinds of questions. Professor Jim Davies' fascinating and highly accessible book, Riveted, reveals the evolutionary underpinnings of why we find things compelling, from art to religion and from sports to superstition. Compelling things fit our minds like keys in the ignition, turning us on and keeping us running, and yet we are often unaware of what makes these "keys" fit. What we like and don't like is almost always determined by subconscious forces, and when we try to consciously predict our own preferences we're often wrong. In one study of speed dating, people were asked what kinds of partners they found attractive. When the results came back, the participants' answers before the exercise had no correlation with who they actually found attractive in person! We are beginning to understand just how much the brain makes our decisions for us: we are rewarded with a rush of pleasure when we detect patterns, as the brain thinks we've discovered something significant; the mind urges us to linger on the news channel or rubberneck an accident in case it might pick up important survival information; it even pushes us to pick up People magazine in order to find out about changes in the social structure.Drawing on work from philosophy, anthropology, religious studies, psychology, economics, computer science, and biology, Davies offers a comprehensive explanation to show that in spite of the differences between the many things that we find compelling, they have similar effects on our minds and brains.