Various Aspects of Humor in the Works of the Bards: Alexander Galich, Jack Kleyff, Bulat Okudzhava and John Kelus Cover Image

Różne aspekty humoru w twórczości bardów: Aleksandra Galicza, Jacka Kleyffa, Bułata Okudżawy i Jana Kelusa
Various Aspects of Humor in the Works of the Bards: Alexander Galich, Jack Kleyff, Bulat Okudzhava and John Kelus

Author(s): Olga Lewandowska
Subject(s): Literary Texts
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: humour; songs; Russian and Polish bards; irony; satire; parody; caricature; totalitarian system

Summary/Abstract: The article is devoted to the topic of the role of humour in songs of prominent Russian and Polish bards – Alexander Galich, Jacek Kleyff, Bulat Okudzava and Jan Kelus. The poets find counterbalance to the totalitarian system in irony, satire, parody and caricature. Showing the destructive action of the communist state in relation to the individual, they ridicule specific phenomena and behaviours. They show human tragedy that results from the fact that one is not able to fully realize his or her humanity and one is deprived of dignity. Irony and parody help people to see the problem and understand that laughter is capable of overcoming social apathy and fear. Emotional engagement makes Galich and Kleyff choose satire and tragic irony, Kelus uses mostly paradoxes and parodies, while humoristic attitude and distance from the reality lead Okudzava to use self-irony. The possibility of showing humoristic aspect of life in a non-democratic country helps the audience to be serene and gives people advantage over the oppressive authority.

  • Issue Year: 8/2013
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 99–117
  • Page Count: 19
  • Language: Polish
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