An investigation into Frankie Boyle's dark comedy, using the frameworks of Kristeva's theory of abjection and Brecht's theory of alienation to analyse how comedians may raise political issues and critique society.

Abstract

This dissertation observes how comedians can raise issues and critique society through their comedy. With a focus on Frankie Boyle's dark comedy, this study examines the theoretical structures of laughter, and how Kristeva's theory of abjection and Brecht's theory of alienation can work as a framework in order to understand and explain how comedians can do this in an effective way. To compile a cohesive theoretical approach to the subject, theories of laughter, abjection and alienation are examined separately in relation to dark contemporary stand-up comedy before examining how these theories can work together in order to analyse how comedians communicate issues and criticisms of a particular society. Recorded stand-up comedy performances have been examined and performances have been attended to support this study, as well as an email interview and email communication with Frankie Boyle in relation to how his comedy and political opinion might work alongside these theories. Books, journals and articles by Frankie Boyle and a wide range of theoretical subject experts have also been consulted. Comedy is an important tool in communicating criticisms that a comedian might have with the social and political aspects of their society in a constructive way, and this study aims to more clearly demonstrate the mechanics behind this.