1 / 19

Life is Worth Losing

Life is Worth Losing. An Analysis on George Carlin by Jake Robsahm. ex·is·ten·tial·ism. A philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will.

nam
Download Presentation

Life is Worth Losing

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Life is Worth Losing An Analysis on George Carlin by Jake Robsahm

  2. ex·is·ten·tial·ism A philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will

  3. George Carlin (1937 – 2008) • One of the most famous American Comedians. • Won five Grammy Awards for Comedy Albums. • Renowned for his black humor and thoughts on taboo subjects. • Died one week after his final performance.

  4. The Fundamental Questions • What does it mean “to be”? • What is Truth? • How do we know what we know? • What is our responsibility to others? • What matters? • Does existence precede essence?

  5. This Presentation • This presentation will be exploring George Carlin and how his humor relates to absurdism and existentialism. • Pointing out the absurd in society was George Carlin’s forte. • We will be analyzing this. • Compare Carlin’s material to literature. • Contrast Carlin to more traditional viewpoints. • Agree or Disagree with Carlin. • Answer the “fundamental questions”.

  6. “Stuff” - 1986 • One of George Carlin’s most famous routines. • Describes the meaning of life as being the acquisition of stuff (obvious satire). • Enjoy! • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x_QkGPCL18

  7. Analysis! • What was your reaction? • What do you think George Carlin meant by the meaning of life being the acquisition of “stuff”? • How does this routine relate to the question “What matters?” • “What does it mean to be?” • How can this be related to Hamlet? To The Stranger? To other works?

  8. Flamethrowers - 1984 • Carlin was infamous for pointing out the absurdity of society. • Illustrated by his take on “Flamethrowers”. • Short and quick. • Enjoy! • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeCJBhT28d4

  9. Analysis! • What was your reaction? • What is the purpose of this routine? • How does Carlin show the absurdity of all of society through one small facet of society? • How does this routine illustrate absurdism? • How can this be related to R&G? Hamlet? The Stranger? And other literature?

  10. We Like War - 1988 • Another satire of all of society through one aspect of society. • Describes what it means to be an American through Carlin’s viewpoint. • Enjoy! • http://youtu.be/2Rlqjxst6xU

  11. Analysis! • What was your reaction? • Do you agree with George Carlin’s viewpoint on war and American society at large? • How does Carlin succeed in making all of American society look absurd through war? • “What does it mean to be?” • “What is Truth?” • “How do we know what we know?”

  12. The Arrogance of Mankind - 1992 • Carlin’s point of view on “Saving the Planet”. • Shows the arrogance of mankind – how we think we actually matter or make a difference in the grand scheme of things. • Enjoy! • http://youtu.be/2cjRGee5ipM

  13. Analysis! • What was your reaction? • Do you agree with George Carlin’s assessment of society and humanity? • Does Carlin succeed in his purpose, whatever it may be? • “What is Truth?” • “What is our responsibility to others?”

  14. Life is Worth Losing - 2005 • Carlin was described as “bitter” in his old age. • Talked about much more serious and dark topics. • Suicide, politics, and religion frequented his later material. • Enjoy! • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVEDnyDMHHQ

  15. Analysis! • What was your reaction? • What do you think of how Carlin treats a serious topic such as suicide so casually? • Do you prefer “old” or “young” Carlin? • “What does it mean to be?” • “Is life really worth living at all?” • “What is our responsibility to others?

  16. Last Words - 2009 • Carlin wrote several books in his lifetime. • His final book, Last Words, was released after his death in 2009. • The book, though more serious in tone, provides some of the best insight to Carlin’s view on the world. • Narrated by his brother, Patrick Carlin. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvx6JwO63to

  17. Analysis! • How does Carlin’s more serious tone compare to his humor? • Do you think this provides a better insight on Carlin than his humor, or not? Why? • Compare this to the famous “To be or not to be” from Hamlet, as well as any other literature. • “What does it mean to be?” • “What is our responsibility to others?”

  18. And Another Thing… • Do you think George Carlin was an existentialist? • Do you think George Carlin would have labeled himself as an existentialist? • Could Carlin be considered an absurdist? • A nihilist? • What does George Carlin’s career tell us about comedy? • Can comedy be used to convey a powerful message? • Many modern comedians claim to be inspired by Carlin. Why?

  19. Rest in PeaceGeorge Carlin (1937 – 2008)

More Related