Blogpost 1: PARODY, SATIRE, POLITICAL HUMOR
One example Bakhtin explores is the satyr play, often considered the "fourth drama" following a tragic trilogy in ancient Greek theater. The reading argues that the play functioned as a parodic-travestying counter-presentation of the myth that had just received a tragic treatment, offering a different narrative aspect. According to Bakhtin, even famous tragedians like Phrynicous, Sophocles, and Euripides wrote satyr plays, highlighting the canonical status of these parodic doubles.
Additionally, in the class, we discussed parody as one of the earliest and most widespread genres of literature. While reading Tynianov's work: "On Parody," I felt that the author challenges conventional notions of parody and travesty, urging a broader understanding that transcends strict imitation. According to Prof. Efremova, the wider landscape of parody, encompassing various methods for mocking the serious word, is posited as considerably richer and more diverse than traditionally believed.
Tynianov highlights a critical moment in 1859 when the definition faced a challenge in the case of Aksakov's dramatic parody "Oleg at Constantinople." The publisher, attempting to settle the matter by citing the established definition, realizes it doesn't align with Aksakov's work. One of the exciting moments in the work is that Tynianov points to the parodic "Song of the Kievans" in Aksakov's work, stating that, despite his claim of parody, readers feel enchantment rather than a strictly comic effect.
Last week, we read and discussed political humor and its role in the USSR. It was mentioned that "The Galosh" is one of the best satirical short stories written by Mikhail Zoshchenko in the genre of political humor, a prominent Soviet writer known for his humorous and critical portrayal of Soviet society during the 1920s and 1930s.
The story is a satire on the bureaucratic inefficiencies and absurdities of the Soviet system. Zoshchenko uses humor to highlight the ridiculousness of the bureaucratic process, showing how trivial issues can become overly complicated and nonsensical. Moreover, we discussed in class and agreed that "the Galosh" is a symbolic element in the story. The fact that such a simple and mundane item becomes a source of bureaucratic chaos is a commentary on the arbitrary nature of Soviet regulations, which was another point expressed during class discussion.
After reading his short stories, irony is critical to Zoshchenko's works. The absurdity of the situations faced by the characters is often heightened by the gap between what is expected and what occurs. The story reflects the frustration and helplessness experienced by individuals in the face of a system that often defies logic, as mentioned in our last class by Prof. Efremova.
Unsurprisingly, Zoshchenko's works, including "The Galosh," faced censorship because of their critical stance toward the Soviet regime. By the end of the discussion, we agreed that "The Galosh" remains a classic example of his satirical style and his skill in using humor to illuminate severe societal issues.
"Political Humor under Stalin provides a unique perspective on the Soviet Union during the 1930s and '40s through the lens of humor. The jokes presented in the anthology highlight how ordinary people engaged in everyday acts of hypocrisy and dissent. Despite the repressive nature of Stalin's regime, individuals found subtle and creative ways to express their discontent through humor, which was one of the core points mentioned in class discussion. I discovered it very interesting that the jokes explore the socio-cultural context in which they emerged, emphasizing their role as a form of resistance and a means of navigating the challenges of living in a totalitarian state.
Analyzing the jokes provides insights into the popular sentiments, frustrations, and fears of the Soviet population during intense political control. The anecdotes shed light on the shared experiences and coping mechanisms of individuals living under oppressive conditions. I touched on the point that the jokes help us to understand specific events, policies, and political climates that influenced the creation and circulation of these jokes.