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DC Field | Value | Language |
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dc.contributor.advisor | Petrie, Graham | en_US |
dc.contributor.author | Anderson, Mary Janelle | en_US |
dc.date.accessioned | 2014-06-18T16:53:04Z | - |
dc.date.available | 2014-06-18T16:53:04Z | - |
dc.date.created | 2011-08-22 | en_US |
dc.date.issued | 1983-05 | en_US |
dc.identifier.other | opendissertations/5962 | en_US |
dc.identifier.other | 6994 | en_US |
dc.identifier.other | 2181370 | en_US |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11375/10955 | - |
dc.description.abstract | <p>Nicholas Nickleby is not traditionally considered to be amongst Dickens' greatest works, however, it has never been extensively examined on its own terms and in its own context since it is usually fragmented within a larger argument. In order to appreciate fully the literary integrity and artistic vitality of Nicholas Nickleby, it is essential to recognize the purposeful integration of its internal dynamics of humour with its externally defined elements of Comedy. The examination of humour necessitates an internal analysis of the novel since humour expresses itself in such details of the work as themes, tone, style, language, narration and characterization. Comedy, on the other hand, can only be studied when the novel is approached as a whole because it is manifested in the traditional literary structure and conventions of the genre.</p> <p>This dissertation recognizes humour and Comedy as serious literary devices which are an integral part of Dickens' ability to 'teach and delight' as he presents his tragi-comic world view. Humour can be basically defined as the enlightening and entertaining process by which a character or situation is simultaneously perceived from various alternative perspectives. Freud furthers this definition by asserting that true humour requires an atmosphere of negative 'affect' so that one is</p> <p>struck by the juxtaposition of both emotion and point of view which causes the impact and import of the humour to be intensified. The cyclical nature of the genre of Comedy complements this humour because it explores alternative emotional states and perspectives as it moves the protagonist through various hardships and returns him to a state of prosperity and happiness. In conclusion, it is only when these essential elements of humour and Comedy are understood in Nicholas Nickleby that the novel can be given its rightful place among Dickens' greatest literary achievements.</p> | en_US |
dc.subject | English Language and Literature | en_US |
dc.subject | English Language and Literature | en_US |
dc.title | THE UNIFYING FUNCTION OF HUMOUR AND COMEDY IN NICHOLAS NICKLEBY | en_US |
dc.type | thesis | en_US |
dc.contributor.department | English and Cultural Studies | en_US |
dc.description.degree | Master of Arts (MA) | en_US |
Appears in Collections: | Open Access Dissertations and Theses |
Files in This Item:
File | Size | Format | |
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fulltext.pdf | 5.72 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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