
The Politics and Psychoanalysis of Comedy
Robert Samuels(Author)
Lexington Books (Publisher)
Published on 20. November 2023
Book
Hardback
192 pages
978-1-6669-4574-4 (ISBN)
Description
This book looks at the political aspects of comedy and how humor is shaped by unconscious social and psychological factors within a particular cultural and historical context. Updating Freud's work on jokes, Robert Samuels argues that any universal model of comedy must take into account the role played by distinct genres, which are themselves determined by particular political psychopathologies. In looking at contemporary comedy, we encounter a structure that is often seen throughout the world: in response to what is experienced as a Leftist super-ego censoring thoughts and speech and a Libertarian Right which promotes free speech as the ultimate value. Within this dynamic, comedians seeking to make their audience laugh by poking fun at sensitive and taboo subjects, intentionally and unintentionally, these humorists present an alternative to Left-wing political correctness and identity politics. Contemporary comedians then cannot help but to cater to Right-wing politics since the Right is centered on loudly rejecting the cultural dictations of the Left.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
437 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-6669-4574-4 (9781666945744)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Robert Samuels
The Politics and Psychoanalysis of Comedy
E-Book
11/2023
1st Edition
Lexington Books
€82.49
Available for download

Robert Samuels
The Politics and Psychoanalysis of Comedy
E-Book
11/2023
1st Edition
Lexington Books
€82.49
Available for download
Person
Robert Samuels teaches advanced writing at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Content
Introduction
Libertarian Comedy: The Hidden Danger of the Joe Rogan ExperienceThe Office and the Political Humor of Centrist NarcissistsThe Hidden Conservative: Dave Chappelle and the Trap of AssimilationCurb Your LiberalismThe Limits of Left-Wing Humor: Hannah Gadsby, Comedic Journalism, and the Misunderstanding of FreudDon't Look Up: Maybe Politics Needs to Be SeriousBibliography
Index
About the Author
Libertarian Comedy: The Hidden Danger of the Joe Rogan ExperienceThe Office and the Political Humor of Centrist NarcissistsThe Hidden Conservative: Dave Chappelle and the Trap of AssimilationCurb Your LiberalismThe Limits of Left-Wing Humor: Hannah Gadsby, Comedic Journalism, and the Misunderstanding of FreudDon't Look Up: Maybe Politics Needs to Be SeriousBibliography
Index
About the Author