TEST YOURSELF:

1
TEST YOURSELF THE COMEDIC LADDER
English 4 AP / Mrs. Ramos Weslaco East High School
2
Identify the type(s) of humor used in each
example. Keep in mind that jokes can hit several
levels at the same time. _________________________
________ Low comedy- making fun of people man
encounters as opponent to an uncooperative
universe. - dirty jokes, gestures, vulgar
behaviors and topics - exaggeration of physical
characteristics or deformities Farce- making fun
of situations man as puppet of fate. - mistaken
identity, coincidences, mis-timings, irony Comedy
of Manners- using verbal wit man as opponent to
man - clever speech, insults - goal elevation
of one mind over another Comedy of Ideas- making
fun of society man as thoughtful observer satire
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(No Transcript)
4
Comedy of Ideas, Farce

• The overall comment of the cartoon is a serious
  one that texting while driving courts death.
  This alone elevates the cartoon to comedy of
  ideas because of the societal implications of
  the act.
• The cartoon is farcical because
• 1) the texter is knowingly conversing with
  Death.
• 2) Death is amused by the fact that the
  texter tempts fate (and death).

5
Public Schoolhouse Rock- Nouns
(YouTube video)
6
Comedy of Ideas

• This bit satirizes the state of public education.
  From the violence and presence of drugs to an
  inattentive principal, this stereotypes public
  schools as places to be feared rather than
  institutions of learning. In addition, the sketch
  exaggerates the dangers that young people
  sometimes face just by going to school, making
  the point that our children today have lost their
  innocence at an early age because of the lack of
  control exhibited in schools.
• The use of the animation style and music from the
  popular Schoolhouse Rock series further mocks
  the state of education today by highlighting just
  how far societys view has declined in the past
  few decades.
• (View the original Nouns video.)

7
(No Transcript)
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Low comedy, Comedy of Manners, Comedy of Ideas

• Low comedy is represented by the exaggerated
  roundness of the children and the fact that every
  one of them is overweight.
• The names of the exercises are puns, a hallmark
  of Comedy of Manners-type wordplay.
• Overall, the cartoon suggests that there is a
  problem in our society both with the food young
  people eat and the fact that they do not get
  enough exercise.

9
Hooters
(YouTube video)
10
Low Comedy

• The comedy centers on boob jokes, physical
  exaggeration and making fun of deformities.
• The men are portrayed as overworked office drones
  who desire only food and eye candy.
• A low standard for beauty in Middle America is
  mocked because the hot women are repulsive in a
  variety of ways.