AbstractsLanguage, Literature & Linguistics

Yossarian Lives!

by Jannick Emil Franck




Institution: Roskilde University
Department:
Year: 2016
Keywords: Catch-22; Joseph Heller; Absurd; Black humour; Incongruity; Satire
Posted: 02/05/2017
Record ID: 2068008
Full text PDF: http://rudar.ruc.dk/handle/1800/27613


Abstract

This paper attempts to uncover the use of humour within the 1961 novel, Catch-22, by Joseph Heller. Specific examples of humour will be analysed and categorised into themes that the novel deals with, such as: authority, patriotism, religion, truth and meaning. Several academic works will be implemented in order to gain a higher understanding of the subject as well as a platform from which an analysis and discussion will emerge. These works concern particular subtypes of humour, in this case absurdism, black humour and satire. In the discussion, we will discuss how humour is utilised in a novel about the stupidity of war and people in power. We found the humour is used in a way to safely satirise serious and controversial topics. Advisors/Committee Members: Elias, Camelia (advisor).