Freud on Jokes
Jokes are another of Freud's avenues to the unconscious. In jokes, at least some of the time, we reveal things we want to reveal, but in a way that is (marginally, at least) socially acceptable. Freud distinguishes between innocent jokes and tendentious jokes, and is primarily interested in the second category.
3 stages of humour:
- Play, which amounts to the nonsensical use and recognition of words. There is no sense of meaning here.
- Example: children's nursery rhymes.
- Jest, in which there is meaning, but it is of no consequence. There is no axe to grind.
- The joke - based on word use. These attempt to gain pleasure from the use of words, and guard that pleasure from the criticism of reason. They involve a repressed or unconscious wish.
- Innocent jokes - unconscious wishes are present, but these focus on the pleasure of word use and meaning. These are close to jests.
- Tendentious jokes - these are meant to give voice to the socially unacceptable wish. They may, though, give evidence of more than just the wish. They may also expose fears and inadequacies on the part of the one making the joke.
- Obscene - "serves the purpose of an exposure"
- Hostile - "expresses aggressiveness, satire, or defense"
- Examples: Lenny Bruce, Chris Rock
So, where would the following types of humour fit: