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Comic Relief in All Souls. What is comic relief?. Etymology of Comic Relief. Comic – Greek komodia , komodios - "a comedy, amusing spectacle," "singer in the revels" Relief – Old French relever - “to relieve”. Definition of Comic Relief.
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Etymology of Comic Relief • Comic – Greek komodia, komodios - "a comedy, amusing spectacle," "singer in the revels" • Relief – Old French relever - “to relieve”
Definition of Comic Relief • Humor occurring in the midst of a tragic literary selection that is deliberately designed to relieve emotional intensity and simultaneously to heighten, increase and highlight the seriousness or tragedy of the action • Apart from being just a diversion, comic relief advances the plot of the dramatic work.
Comic Relief in Context • Traditionally used in the realm of tragic drama (i.e. Shakespeare’s tragedies) • In drama, comic relief often takes form in a bumbling, wisecracking sidekick of the protagonist or antagonist. • Often showcases the absurdity of the hero’s situation • Used by characters to irritate others or to keep themselves confident
Comic Relief in All Souls • Breaks up the somber tone of the memoir (with its themes of violence, poverty, racism, corruption) • Primarily used by Ma to keep high spirits • Reveals the absurdity of the racism and poverty in Southie in the 1960s, 70s and 80s
Examples from the text • Visit from the social worker (pp. 33-34) • Mass Mental mayhem (pp. 46-47) • Cockroaches in Old Colony (pp. 52-53) • Skootchie’s kleptomaniac tendencies (pp. 61-62)