ОД СЕМИОТИКА ДО КУЛТУРА НА ГРОТЕСКНОТО
FROM THE SEMIOTICS TO THE CULTURE OF THE GROTESQUE

Summary/Abstract: This text shall look at the grotesque in the context of its role in literature and culture, with a brief introduction of the semiotic category of entropy and the poetic category of the enigmatic. The grotesque can be viewed from two perspectives. First, as a rhetorical-stylistic and literary figure, and secondly, as a cultural phenomenon. Grotesque cultures (perverted value systems) stimulate the development of the culture of grotesque living. Such social circumstances enable the creation not only of grotesque art and literary works, but also societal and cultural environments where grotesque expression and communication becomes the dominant form of culture. Collective catharsis occurs as a result of long suppressed social anger and injustice. If there is a well-developed culture of the grotesque, this is a sign that there has been a prevalent culture of violence. In that sense, the grotesque is accepted as a defensive strategy and a method of survival. When reality is incapable to resolve social conflicts, then fantasy, utopia, freedom of speech and expression take center stage. The grotesque becomes a therapeutic tool, and more importantly, a means of protecting the humane, even in the form of actualization of archaic and mystical forms of empathy.

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