Subverting Social Norms through American Stand-Up Comedy: Re-Evaluating the Impact of Feminist Humor in the Me Too Era
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Date
2023-06
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université mohamed boudiaf .m'sila
Abstract
Abstract
The role of stand-up comedy has evolved to go beyond mere amusement, as stand-up comedians mastered the role of being comic spokespersons, mediators, and articulators of cultures. Feminist comics and scholars were to use this form of art to articulate their marginal position in society and in the industry. They noted a disparity in the industry of stand-up comedy as well as humor’s theoretical structures and offered an alternative philosophy to humor within the lens of intersectionality. Therefore, this research aims to re-evaluate the potential power of feminist humor, within the context of American stand-up comedy, in challenging cultural norms and gender inequality, as well as addressing issues of harassment in the Me Too era. To achieve this aim, this research draws upon Incongruity and Relief theories as subversive theories of humor to assess the Intersectionality theory of humor. Additionally, this research offers an examination of the comedic performances of feminist stand-up comedians through content analysis of feminist stand-up jokes. It addresses whether their comedic attempts can be effective in subverting norms and hierarchies or ineffective in instilling social change. This research contended that feminist humor is effective in raising awareness about such matters but is rather ineffective in bringing about change as it risks further reinforcing the prevailing norms and structures.
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Keywords: humor, feminism, stand-up comedy, intersectionality, subversive humor.