,,laught] ,,an ,,essay ,,on ,,! ,,mean+ ,,( ,,! ,,comic ,,by ,,h5ri ,,b]gson ,,memb] ,,( ,,! ,,in/itute ,,pr(essor ,,at ,,! ,,college ,,de ,,france ,,au?oris$ ,,translation ,,by ,,cl\desley ,,br]eton ,l4 ,,es ,l4 7,,p>is71 ,m4,a4 7,,cantab7 ,,& ,,fr$ ,,ro?well ,b4,a4 7,,london7 ,,translators' ,,preface ,?is "w1 by ,pr(essor ,b]gson1 has be5 revis$ 9 detail by ! au?or himself1 & ! pres5t translation is ! only au?oris$ "o4 ,= ?is ungrudg+ lab\r ( revision1 = ! ?or\ghness ) :i* x has be5 c>ri$ out1 & = p]sonal sympa?y 9 _m a difficulty ( ^w & phrase1 we desire to (f] our grateful ackn[l$gm5t to ,pr(essor ,b]gson4 ,x may be po9t$ out t ! essay on ,laught] orig9ally appe>$ 9 a s]ies ( ?ree articles 9 "o ( ! lead+ magaz9es 9 ,france1 ! ,revue de ,p>is4 ,?is w acc\nt = ! relatively simple =m ( ! "w & ! comp>ative abs5ce ( te*nical t]ms4 ,x w also expla9 :y ! au?or has conf9$ himself to expos+ & illu/rat+ 8 novel !ory ( ! comic )\t ent]+ into a detail$ discussion ( o!r explanations already 9 ! field4 ,he none ! less indicates1 :5 discuss+ sundry examples1 :y ! pr9cipal !ories1 to :i* !y h giv5 rise1 appe> to him inadequate4 ,to quote only a few1 "o may m5tion ^? bas$ on contra/1 exagg]ation1 & degradation4 ,! book has be5 highly successful 9 ,france1 :]e x is 9 its sev5? edition4 ,x has be5 translat$ into ,russian1 ,poli%1 & ,sw$i%4 ,g]man & ,hung>ian translations are "u prep>ation4 ,its success is due p>tly to ! novelty ( ! explanation (f]$ ( ! comic1 & p>tly also to ! fact t ! au?or incid5tally discusses que/ions ( /ill great] int]e/ & importance4 ,?us1 "o ( ! be/ kn[n & mo/ frequ5tly quot$ passages ( ! book is t portion ( ! la/ *apt] 9 :i* ! au?or outl9es a g5]al !ory ( art4 ,c4 ,b4 ,f4 ,r4 ,,cont5ts ,,*apt] ,i ,,! ,,comic ,,9 ,,g5]al--,,! ,,comic ,,elem5t ,,9 ,,=ms ,,& ,,movem5ts--,,expansive ,,=ce ,,( ,,! ,,comic ,,*apt] ,,ii ,,! ,,comic ,,elem5t ,,9 ,,situations ,,& ,,! ,,comic ,,elem5t ,,9 ,,words ,,*apt] ,,iii ,,! ,,comic ,,9 ,,"* ,,*apt] ,i ,,! ,,comic ,,9 ,,g5]al--,,! ,,comic ,,elem5t ,,9 ,,=ms ,,& ,,movem5ts--,,expansive ,,=ce ,,( ,,! ,,comic4 ,:at does laught] mean8 ,:at is ! basal elem5t 9 ! laughable8 ,:at common gr\nd c we f9d betwe5 ! grimace ( a m]ry-&rew1 a play ^u words1 an equivocal situation 9 a burlesque & a sc5e ( high com$y8 ,:at me?od ( di/illation w yield u inv>iably ! same ess5ce f :i* s _m diff]5t products borr[ ei!r _! obtrusive od\r or _! delicate p]fume8 ,! greate/ ( ?9k]s1 f ,ari/otle d[nw>ds1 h tackl$ ?is little problem1 :i* has a knack ( baffl+ e ef=t1 ( slipp+ away & escap+ only to bob up aga91 a p]t *all5ge flung at philosophic speculation4 ,our excuse = attack+ ! problem 9 our turn mu/ lie 9 ! fact t we %all n aim at imprison+ ! comic _s )9 a def9ition4 ,we reg>d x1 above all1 z a liv+ ?+4 ,h[ev] trivial x may be1 we %all treat x ) ! respect due to life4 ,we %all conf9e ourselves to wat*+ x gr[ & exp&4 ,pass+ by imp]ceptible gradations f "o =m to ano!r1 x w be se5 to a*ieve ! /range/ metamorphoses4 ,we %all disda9 no?+ we h se54 ,maybe we may ga9 f ?is prolong$ contact1 = ! matt] ( t1 some?+ m flexible ?an an ab/ract def9ition1--a practical1 intimate acqua9tance1 su* z spr+s f a long companion%ip4 ,& maybe we may also f9d t1 un9t5tionally1 we h made an acqua9tance t is useful4 ,= ! comic _s has a logic ( its own1 ev5 9 its wilde/ ecc5tricities4 ,x has a me?od 9 its madness4 ,x dreams1 ,i admit1 b x conjures up1 9 its dreams1 visions t are at once accept$ & und]/ood by ! :ole ( a social gr\p4 ,c x !n fail to ?r[ light = u on ! way t human imag9ation works1 & m p>ticul>ly social1 collective1 & popul> imag9ation8 ,begott5 ( real life & ak9 to art1 %\ld x n also h some?+ ( its own to tell u ab\t art & life8 ,at ! outset we %all put =w>d ?ree obs]vations :i* we look ^u z fundam5tal4 ,!y h less be>+ on ! actually comic ?an on ! field )9 :i* x mu/ be s\ght4 ,i ,! fir/ po9t to :i* att5tion %\ld be call$ is t ! comic does n exi/ outside ! pale ( :at is /rictly ,,human4 ,a l&scape may be beautiful1 *>m+ & sublime1 or insignificant & ugly2 x w nev] be laughable4 ,y may laugh at an animal1 b only because y h detect$ 9 x "s human attitude or expression4 ,y may laugh at a hat1 b :at y are mak+ fun (1 9 ?is case1 is n ! piece ( felt or /raw1 b ! %ape t m5 h giv5 x1--! human caprice ^: m\ld x has assum$4 ,x is /range t s important a fact1 & su* a simple "o too1 has n attract$ to a great] degree ! att5tion ( philosoph]s4 ,sev]al h def9$ man z an animal :i* laughs4 ,!y might equally well h def9$ him z an animal :i* is laugh$ at2 = if any o!r animal1 or "s lifeless object1 produces ! same effect1 x is always because ( "s resemblance to man1 ( ! /amp he gives x or ! use he puts x to4 ,"h ,i w\ld po9t out1 z a symptom equally wor?y ( notice1 ! ,,abs5ce ,,( ,,feel+ :i* usually accompanies laught]4 ,x seems z ?\gh ! comic c\ld n produce its di/urb+ effect unless x fell1 s to say1 on ! surface ( a s\l t is ?or\ghly calm & unruffl$4 ,indiff]5ce is its natural environm5t1 = laught] has no great] foe ?an emotion4 ,i d n mean t we c\ld n laugh at a p]son :o inspires u ) pity1 = in/ance1 or ev5 ) affection1 b 9 su* a case we mu/1 = ! mom5t1 put our affection out ( c\rt & impose sil5ce ^u our pity4 ,9 a society compos$ ( pure intellig5ces !re w\ld probably be no m te>s1 ?\gh p]haps !re w\ld /ill be laught]2 :]eas highly emotional s\ls1 9 tune & unison ) life1 9 :om e ev5t w\ld be s5tim5tally prolong$ & re-e*o$1 w\ld nei!r "k nor und]/& laught]4 ,try1 = a mom5t1 to become int]e/$ 9 ev]y?+ t is be+ said & done2 act1 9 imag9ation1 ) ^? :o act1 & feel ) ^? :o feel2 9 a ^w1 give y\r sympa?y its wide/ expansion3 z ?\gh at ! t\* ( a fairy w& y w see ! flimsie/ ( objects assume importance1 & a gloomy hue spread ov] ev]y?+4 ,n[ /ep aside1 look ^u life z a dis9t]e/$ spectator3 _m a drama w turn into a com$y4 ,x is en\gh = u to /op our e>s to ! s\nd ( music1 9 a room :]e danc+ is go+ on1 = ! danc]s at once to appe> ridicul\s4 ,h[ _m human actions w\ld /& a simil> te/8 ,%\ld we n see _m ( !m sudd5ly pass f grave to gay1 on isolat+ !m f ! accompany+ music ( s5tim5t8 ,to produce ! :ole ( its effect1 !n1 ! comic dem&s some?+ l a mom5t>y ane/hesia ( ! he>t4 ,its appeal is to intellig5ce1 pure & simple4 ,?is intellig5ce1 h[ev]1 mu/ always rema9 9 t\* ) o!r intellig5ces4 ,& "h is ! ?ird fact to :i* att5tion %\ld be drawn4 ,y w\ld h>dly appreciate ! comic if y felt y\rself isolat$ f o!rs4 ,laught] appe>s to /& 9 ne$ ( an e*o1 ,li/5 to x c>efully3 x is n an articulate1 cle>1 well-def9$ s\nd2 x is some?+ :i* w\ld fa9 be prolong$ by rev]b]at+ f "o to ano!r1 some?+ beg9n+ ) a cra%1 to cont9ue 9 successive rumbl+s1 l ?und] 9 a m\nta94 ,/ill1 ?is rev]b]ation _c g on = ev]4 ,x c travel )9 z wide a circle z y please3 ! circle rema9s1 none ! less1 a clos$ "o4 ,our laught] is always ! laught] ( a gr\p4 ,x may1 p]*ance1 h happ5$ to y1 :5 seat$ 9 a railway c>riage or at table d'hote1 to he> travell]s relat+ to "o ano!r /ories :i* mu/ h be5 comic to !m1 = !y laugh$ he>tily4 ,_h y be5 "o ( _! company1 y w\ld h laugh$ l !m2 b1 z y 7 n1 y _h no desire :atev] to d s4 ,a man :o 0 once ask$ :y he did n weep at a s]mon1 :5 ev]ybody else 0 %$d+ te>s1 repli$3 ,i don't belong to ! p>i%6 ,:at t man ?\ght ( te>s w\ld be /ill m true ( laught]4 ,h[ev] spontane\s x seems1 laught] always implies a k9d ( secret freemasonry1 or ev5 complicity1 ) o!r laugh]s1 real or imag9>y4 ,h[ (t5 has x be5 said t ! full] ! !atre1 ! m uncontroll$ ! laught] ( ! audi5ce6 ,on ! o!r h&1 h[ (t5 has ! rem>k be5 made t _m comic effects are incapable ( translation f "o language to ano!r1 because !y ref] to ! cu/oms & ideas ( a p>ticul> social gr\p6 ,x is ?r\gh n und]/&+ ! importance ( ?is d\ble fact t ! comic has be5 look$ ^u z a m]e curiosity 9 :i* ! m9d f9ds amusem5t1 & laught] itself z a /range1 isolat$ ph5om5on1 )\t any be>+ on ! re/ ( human activity4 ,h5ce ^? def9itions :i* t5d to make ! comic into an ab/ract relation betwe5 ideas3 an intellectual contra/1 a palpable absurdity1 etc41--def9itions :i*1 ev5 7 !y really suitable to e =m ( ! comic1 w\ld n 9 ! lea/ expla9 :y ! comic makes u laugh4 ,h[1 inde$1 %\ld x come ab\t t ?is p>ticul> logical relation1 z soon z x is p]ceiv$1 contracts1 exp&s & %akes our limbs1 :il/ all o!r relations leave ! body unaffect$8 ,x is n f ?is po9t ( view t we %all approa* ! problem4 ,to und]/& laught]1 we mu/ put x back into its natural environm5t1 :i* is society1 & above all mu/ we det]m9e ! utility ( its function1 :i* is a social "o4 ,su*1 let u say at once1 w be ! lead+ idea ( all our inve/igations4 ,laught] mu/ answ] to c]ta9 requirem5ts ( life 9 common4 ,x mu/ h a ,,social signification4 ,let u cle>ly m>k ! po9t t[>ds :i* our ?ree prelim9>y obs]vations are conv]g+4 ,! comic w come into be+1 x appe>s1 :5ev] a gr\p ( m5 conc5trate _! att5tion on "o ( _! numb]1 impos+ sil5ce on _! emotions & call+ into play no?+ b _! intellig5ce4 ,:at1 n[1 is ! p>ticul> po9t on :i* _! att5tion w h to be conc5trat$1 & :at w "h be ! function ( intellig5ce8 ,to reply to ^! que/ions w be at once to come to clos] grips ) ! problem4 ,b "h a few examples h become indisp5sable4 ,,ii ,a man1 runn+ along ! /reet1 /umbles & falls2 ! pass]s-by bur/ out laugh+4 ,!y w\ld n laugh at him1 ,i imag9e1 c\ld !y suppose t ! :im _h sudd5ly seiz$ him to sit d[n on ! gr\nd4 ,!y laugh because 8 sitt+ d[n is involunt>y4 ,consequ5tly1 x is n 8 sudd5 *ange ( attitude t raises a laugh1 b r ! involunt>y elem5t 9 ?is *ange1--8 clums9ess1 9 fact4 ,p]haps !re 0 a /one on ! road4 ,he %\ld h alt]$ 8 pace or avoid$ ! ob/acle4 ,in/ead ( t1 ?r\gh lack ( ela/icity1 ?r\gh abs5tm9d$ness & a k9d ( physical ob/9acy1 ,,z ,a ,,result1 ,,9 ,,fact1 ,,( ,,rigidity ,,or ,,( ,,mom5tum1 ! muscles cont9u$ to p]=m ! same movem5t :5 ! circum/ances ( ! case call$ = some?+ else4 ,t is ! reason ( ! man's fall1 & also ( ! p's laught]4 ,n[1 take ! case ( a p]son :o att5ds to ! petty occupations ( 8 ev]yday life ) ma!matical precision4 ,! objects ar\nd him1 h[ev]1 h all be5 tamp]$ ) by a mis*iev\s wag1 ! result be+ t :5 he dips 8 p5 into ! ink/& he draws x out all cov]$ ) mud1 :5 he fancies he is sitt+ d[n on a solid *air he f9ds himself sprawl+ on ! floor1 9 a ^w 8 actions are all topsy-turvy or m]e beat+ ! air1 :ile 9 e case ! effect is inv>iably "o ( mom5tum4 ,habit has giv5 ! impulse3 :at 0 want$ 0 to *eck ! movem5t or deflect x4 ,he did no?+ ( ! sort1 b cont9u$ l a ma*9e 9 ! same /raight l9e4 ,! victim1 !n1 ( a practical joke is 9 a position simil> to t ( a runn] :o falls1--he is comic = ! same reason4 ,! laughable elem5t 9 bo? cases consi/s ( a c]ta9 ,,me*anical ,,inela/icity1 j :]e "o w\ld expect to f9d ! wide-awake adaptability & ! liv+ pliabl5ess ( a human be+4 ,! only diff]5ce 9 ! two cases is t ! =m] happ5$ ( itself1 :il/ ! latt] 0 obta9$ artificially4 ,9 ! fir/ in/ance1 ! pass]-by does no?+ b look on1 b 9 ! second ! mis*iev\s wag int]v5es4 ,all ! same1 9 bo? cases ! result has be5 br\ght ab\t by an ext]nal circum/ance4 ,! comic is !re=e accid5tal3 x rema9s1 s to speak1 9 sup]ficial contact ) ! p]son4 ,h[ is x to p5etrate )98 ,! necess>y conditions w be fulfill$ :5 me*anical rigidity no long] requires = its manife/ation a /umbl+-block :i* ei!r ! haz>d ( circum/ance or human knav]y has set 9 its way1 b extracts by natural processes1 f its own /ore1 an inexhau/ible s]ies ( opportunities = ext]nally reveal+ its pres5ce4 ,suppose1 !n1 we imag9e a m9d always ?9k+ ( :at x has j done & nev] ( :at x is do+1 l a song :i* lags beh9d its accompanim5t4 ,let u try to picture to ourselves a c]ta9 inborn lack ( ela/icity ( bo? s5ses & intellig5ce1 :i* br+s x to pass t we cont9ue to see :at is no long] visible1 to he> :at is no long] audible1 to say :at is no long] to ! po9t3 9 %ort1 to adapt ourselves to a pa/ & !re=e imag9>y situation1 :5 we ought to be %ap+ our conduct 9 accordance ) ! reality :i* is pres5t4 ,?is "t ! comic w take up its abode 9 ! p]son himself2 x is ! p]son :o w supply x ) ev]y?+--matt] & =m1 cause & opportunity4 ,is x !n surpris+ t ! abs5t-m9d$ individual--= ?is is ! "* we h j be5 describ+--has usually fir$ ! imag9ation ( comic au?ors8 ,:5 ,la ,bruy]e came across ?is p>ticul> type1 he realis$1 on analys+ x1 t he _h got hold ( a recipe = ! :olesale manufacture ( comic effects4 ,z a matt] ( fact he ov]did x1 & gave u f> too l5g?y & detail$ a description ( ,m5alque1 com+ back to 8 subject1 dwell+ & expatiat+ on x beyond all b\nds4 ,! v facility ( ! subject fasc9at$ him4 ,abs5tm9d$ness1 inde$1 is n p]haps ! actual f\nta9-head ( ! comic1 b surely x is contigu\s to a c]ta9 /ream ( facts & fancies :i* fl[s /raight f ! f\nta9-head4 ,x is situat$1 s to say1 on "o ( ! great natural wat]%$s ( laught]4 ,n[1 ! effect ( abs5tm9d$ness may ga!r /r5g? 9 its turn4 ,!re is a g5]al law1 ! fir/ example ( :i* we h j enc\nt]$1 & :i* we w =mulate 9 ! foll[+ t]ms3 :5 a c]ta9 comic effect has its orig9 9 a c]ta9 cause1 ! m natural we reg>d ! cause to be1 ! m comic %all we f9d ! effect4 ,ev5 n[ we laugh at abs5tm9d$ness :5 pres5t$ to u z a simple fact4 ,/ill m laughable w be ! abs5tm9d$ness we h se5 spr++ up & gr[+ be=e our v eyes1 ) ^: orig9 we are acqua9t$ & ^: life-hi/ory we c recon/ruct4 ,to *oose a def9ite example3 suppose a man has tak5 to read+ no?+ b romances ( love & *ivalry4 ,attract$ & fasc9at$ by 8 h]oes1 8 ?\ghts & int5tions gradually turn m & m t[>ds !m1 till "o f9e day we f9d him walk+ among u l a somnambuli/4 ,8 actions are di/ractions4 ,b !n 8 di/ractions c be trac$ back to a def9ite1 positive cause4 ,!y are no long] cases ( ,,abs5ce ( m9d1 pure & simple2 !y f9d _! explanation 9 ! ,,pres5ce ( ! individual 9 q def9ite1 ?\gh imag9>y1 surr\nd+s4 ,d\btless a fall is always a fall1 b x is "o ?+ to tumble into a well because y 7 look+ any:]e b 9 front ( y1 x is q ano!r ?+ to fall into x because y 7 int5t ^u a />4 ,x 0 c]ta9ly a /> at :i* ,don ,quixote 0 gaz+4 ,h[ pr(\nd is ! comic elem5t 9 ! ov]-romantic1 ,utopian b5t ( m9d6 ,& yet1 if y re9troduce ! idea ( abs5tm9d$ness1 :i* acts z a g-betwe51 y w see ?is pr(\nd comic elem5t unit+ ) ! mo/ sup]ficial type4 ,yes1 inde$1 ^! :imsical wild en?usia/s1 ^! madm5 :o are yet s /rangely reasonable1 excite u to laught] by play+ on ! same *ords )9 ourselves1 by sett+ 9 motion ! same inn] me*anism1 z does ! victim ( a practical joke or ! pass]-by :o slips d[n 9 ! /reet4 ,!y1 too1 are runn]s :o fall & simple s\ls :o are be+ hoax$--runn]s aft] ! ideal :o /umble ov] realities1 *ild-l dream]s = :om life delights to lie 9 wait4 ,b1 above all1 !y are pa/-ma/]s 9 abs5tm9d$ness1 ) ?is sup]iority ov] _! fell[s t _! abs5tm9d$ness is sy/ematic & organis$ ar\nd "o c5tral idea1 & t _! mi%aps are also q coh]5t1 ?anks to ! inexorable logic :i* reality applies to ! correction ( dreams1 s t !y k9dle 9 ^? ar\nd !m1 by a s]ies ( cumulative effects1 a hil>ity capable ( unlimit$ expansion4 ,n[1 let u g a little fur!r4 ,might n c]ta9 vices h ! same relation to "* t ! rigidity ( a fix$ idea has to intellect8 ,:e!r z a moral k9k or a crook$ twi/ giv5 to ! w1 vice has (t5 ! appe>ance ( a curvature ( ! s\l4 ,d\btless !re are vices into :i* ! s\l plunges deeply ) all its pregnant pot5cy1 :i* x rejuv5ates & drags along ) x into a mov+ circle ( re9c>nations4 ,^? are tragic vices4 ,b ! vice capable ( mak+ u comic is1 on ! contr>y1 t :i* is br\ght f )\t1 l a ready-made frame into :i* we are to /ep4 ,x l5ds u its own rigidity in/ead ( borr[+ f u our flexibility4 ,we d n r5d] x m complicat$2 on ! contr>y1 x simplifies u4 ,"h1 z we %all see lat] on 9 ! conclud+ section ( ?is /udy1 lies ! ess5tial diff]5ce betwe5 com$y & drama4 ,a drama1 ev5 :5 portray+ passions or vices t be> a "n1 s completely incorporates !m 9 ! p]son t _! names are =gott51 _! g5]al *>act]i/ics effac$1 & we no long] ?9k ( !m at all1 b r ( ! p]son 9 :om !y are assimilat$2 h5ce1 ! title ( a drama c seldom be any?+ else ?an a prop] n\n4 ,on ! o!r h&1 _m com$ies h a common n\n z _! title3 l',av>e1 le ,j\eur1 etc4 ,7 y ask$ to ?9k ( a play capable ( be+ call$ le ,jal\x1 = in/ance1 y w\ld f9d t ,sgan>elle or ,george ,d&9 w\ld occur to y\r m9d1 b n ,o!llo3 le ,jal\x c\ld only be ! title ( a com$y4 ,! reason is t1 h[ev] intimately vice1 :5 comic1 is associat$ ) p]sons1 x none ! less reta9s its simple1 indep5d5t exi/5ce1 x rema9s ! c5tral "*1 pres5t ?\gh invisible1 to :i* ! *>act]s 9 fle% & blood on ! /age are atta*$4 ,at times x delights 9 dragg+ !m d[n ) its own weight & mak+ !m %>e 9 its tumbles4 ,m frequ5tly1 h[ev]1 x plays on !m z on an in/rum5t or pulls ! /r+s z ?\gh !y 7 puppets4 ,look closely3 y w f9d t ! art ( ! comic poet consi/s 9 mak+ u s well acqua9t$ ) ! p>ticul> vice1 9 introduc+ u1 ! spectators1 to su* a degree ( intimacy ) x1 t 9 ! end we get hold ( "s ( ! /r+s ( ! m>ionette ) :i* he is play+1 & actually "w !m ourselves2 ?is x is t expla9s "p ( ! pleasure we feel4 ,"h1 too1 x is really a k9d ( automatism t makes u laugh--an automatism1 z we h already rem>k$1 closely ak9 to m]e abs5tm9d$ness4 ,to realise ?is m fully1 x ne$ only be not$ t a comic "* is g5]ally comic 9 proportion to 8 ignorance ( himself4 ,! comic p]son is unconsci\s4 ,z ?\gh we>+ ! r+ ( ,gyges ) rev]se effect1 he becomes invisible to himself :ile rema9+ visible to all ! _w4 ,a "* 9 a trag$y w make no *ange 9 8 conduct because he w "k h[ x is judg$ by u2 he may cont9ue !re91 ev5 ?\gh fully consci\s ( :at he is & feel+ ke5ly ! horror he inspires 9 u4 ,b a defect t is ridicul\s1 z soon z x feels itself to be s1 endeav\rs to modify itself1 or at lea/ to appe> z ?\gh x did4 ,7 ,h>pagon to see u laugh at 8 mis]l9ess1 ,i d n say t he w\ld get rid ( x1 b he w\ld ei!r %[ x less or %[ x diff]5tly4 ,inde$1 x is 9 ?is s5se only t laught] corrects m5's mann]s4 ,x makes u at once endeav\r to appe> :at we ought to be1 :at "s day we %all p]haps end 9 be+4 ,x is unnecess>y to c>ry ?is analysis any fur!r4 ,f ! runn] :o falls to ! simpleton :o is hoax$1 f a /ate ( be+ hoax$ to "o ( abs5tm9d$ness1 f abs5tm9d$ness to wild en?usiasm1 f wild en?usiasm to v>i\s di/ortions ( "* & w1 we h foll[$ ! l9e ( progress along :i* ! comic becomes m & m deeply imb$d$ 9 ! p]son1 yet )\t ceas+1 9 its subtl] manife/ations1 to recall to u "s trace ( :at we notic$ 9 its gross] =ms1 an effect ( automatism & ( inela/icity4 ,n[ we c obta9 a fir/ glimpse--a di/ant "o1 x is true1 & /ill hazy & confus$--( ! laughable side ( human nature & ( ! ord9>y function ( laught]4 ,:at life & society require ( ea* ( u is a con/antly al]t att5tion t disc]ns ! outl9es ( ! pres5t situation1 toge!r ) a c]ta9 ela/icity ( m9d & body to enable u to adapt ourselves 9 consequ5ce4 ,,t5sion & ,,ela/icity are two =ces1 mutually complem5t>y1 :i* life br+s into play4 ,if ^! two =ces are lack+ 9 ! body to any consid]able ext5t1 we h sickness & infirmity & accid5ts ( e k9d4 ,if !y are lack+ 9 ! m9d1 we f9d e degree ( m5tal defici5cy1 e v>iety ( insanity4 ,f9ally1 if !y are lack+ 9 ! "*1 we h cases ( ! grave/ inadaptability to social life1 :i* are ! s\rces ( mis]y & at times ! causes ( crime4 ,once ^! elem5ts ( inf]iority t affect ! s]i\s side ( exi/5ce are remov$--& !y t5d to elim9ate !mselves 9 :at has be5 call$ ! /ruggle = life--! p]son c live1 & t 9 common ) o!r p]sons4 ,b society asks = some?+ m2 x is n satisfi$ ) simply liv+1 x insi/s on liv+ well4 ,:at x n[ has to dread is t ea* "o ( u1 cont5t ) pay+ att5tion to :at affects ! ess5tials ( life1 w1 s f> z ! re/ is conc]n$1 give way to ! easy automatism ( acquir$ habits4 ,ano!r ?+ x mu/ fe> is t ! memb]s ( :om x is made up1 in/ead ( aim+ aft] an increas+ly delicate adju/m5t ( wills :i* w fit m & m p]fectly into "o ano!r1 w conf9e !mselves to respect+ simply ! fundam5tal conditions ( ?is adju/m5t3 a cut-&-dri$ agreem5t among ! p]sons w n satisfy x1 x insi/s on a con/ant /riv+ aft] reciprocal adaptation4 ,society w !re=e be suspici\s ( all ,,inela/icity ( "*1 ( m9d & ev5 ( body1 because x is ! possible sign ( a slumb]+ activity z well z ( an activity ) sep>ati/ t5d5cies1 t incl9es to sw]ve f ! common c5tre r\nd :i* society gravitates3 9 %ort1 because x is ! sign ( an ecc5tricity4 ,& yet1 society _c int]v5e at ?is /age by mat]ial repression1 s9ce x is n affect$ 9 a mat]ial fa%ion4 ,x is confront$ ) some?+ t makes x uneasy1 b only z a symptom--sc>cely a ?reat1 at ! v mo/ a ge/ure4 ,a ge/ure1 !re=e1 w be its reply4 ,laught] mu/ be some?+ ( ?is k9d1 a sort ( ,,social ,,ge/ure4 ,by ! fe> :i* x inspires1 x re/ra9s ecc5tricity1 keeps con/antly awake & 9 mutual contact c]ta9 activities ( a second>y ord] :i* might retire into _! %ell & g to sleep1 &1 9 %ort1 s(t5s d[n :atev] ! surface ( ! social body may reta9 ( me*anical inela/icity4 ,laught]1 !n1 does n belong to ! prov9ce ( e/hetics alone1 s9ce unconsci\sly 7& ev5 immorally 9 _m p>ticul> in/ances7 x pursues a utilit>ian aim ( g5]al improvem5t4 ,& yet !re is some?+ e/hetic ab\t x1 s9ce ! comic comes into be+ j :5 society & ! individual1 fre$ f ! worry ( self-pres]vation1 beg9 to reg>d !mselves z works ( art4 ,9 a ^w1 if a circle be drawn r\nd ^? actions & dispositions--impli$ 9 individual or social life--to :i* _! natural consequ5ces br+ _! own p5alties1 !re rema9s outside ?is sph]e ( emotion & /ruggle--& )9 a neutral zone 9 :i* man simply exposes himself to man's curiosity--a c]ta9 rigidity ( body1 m9d & "*1 t society w\ld /ill l to get rid ( 9 ord] to obta9 f its memb]s ! greate/ possible degree ( ela/icity & sociability4 ,?is rigidity is ! comic1 & laught] is its corrective4 ,/ill1 we mu/ n accept ?is =mula z a def9ition ( ! comic4 ,x is suitable only = cases t are elem5t>y1 !oretical & p]fect1 9 :i* ! comic is free f all adult]ation4 ,nor d we (f] x1 ei!r1 z an explanation4 ,we pref] to make x1 if y w1 ! leitmotiv :i* is to accompany all our explanations4 ,we mu/ ev] keep x 9 m9d1 ?\gh )\t dwell+ on x too mu*1 some:at z a skilful f5c] mu/ ?9k ( ! discont9u\s movem5ts ( ! lesson :il/ 8 body is giv5 up to ! cont9uity ( ! f5c+-mat*4 ,we w n[ endeav\r to recon/ruct ! sequ5ce ( comic =ms1 tak+ up aga9 ! ?read t leads f ! horseplay ( a cl[n up to ! mo/ ref9$ effects ( com$y1 foll[+ ?is ?read 9 its (t5 un=ese5 w9d+s1 halt+ at int]vals to look ar\nd1 & f9ally gett+ back1 if possible1 to ! po9t at :i* ! ?read is dangl+ & :]e we %all p]haps f9d--s9ce ! comic oscillates betwe5 life & art--! g5]al relation t art be>s to life4 ,,iii ,let u beg9 at ! simple/ po9t4 ,:at is a comic physiognomy8 ,:]e does a ridicul\s expression ( ! face come f8 ,& :at is1 9 ?is case1 ! di/9ction betwe5 ! comic & ! ugly8 ,?us /at$1 ! "q c\ld sc>cely be answ]$ 9 any o!r ?an an arbitr>y fa%ion4 ,simple ?\gh x may appe>1 x is1 ev5 n[1 too subtle to all[ ( a direct attack4 ,we %\ld h to beg9 ) a def9ition ( ugl9ess1 & !n discov] :at addition ! comic makes to x2 n[1 ugl9ess is n mu* easi] to analyse ?an is beauty4 ,h[ev]1 we w employ an artifice :i* w (t5 /& u 9 good /ead4 ,we w exagg]ate ! problem1 s to speak1 by magnify+ ! effect to ! po9t ( mak+ ! cause visible4 ,suppose1 !n1 we int5sify ugl9ess to ! po9t ( de=mity1 & /udy ! transition f ! de=m$ to ! ridicul\s4 ,n[1 c]ta9 de=mities und\bt$ly possess ov] o!rs ! sorry privilege ( caus+ "s p]sons to laugh2 "s hun*backs1 = in/ance1 w excite laught]4 ,)\t at ?is po9t ent]+ into useless details1 we w simply ask ! read] to ?9k ( a numb] ( de=mities1 & !n to divide !m into two gr\ps3 on ! "o h&1 ^? :i* nature has direct$ t[>ds ! ridicul\s2 & on ! o!r1 ^? :i* absolutely div]ge f x4 ,no d\bt he w hit ^u ! foll[+ law3 ,a de=mity t may become comic is a de=mity t a normally built p]son1 c\ld successfully imitate4 ,is x n1 !n1 ! case t ! hun*back sugge/s ! appe>ance ( a p]son :o holds himself badly8 ,8 back seems to h contract$ an ugly /oop4 ,by a k9d ( physical ob/9acy1 by rigidity1 9 a ^w1 x p]si/s 9 ! habit x has contract$4 ,try to see ) y\r eyes alone4 ,avoid reflection1 & above all1 d n reason4 ,ab&on all y\r prepossessions2 seek to recapture a fre%1 direct & primitive impression4 ,! vision y w reacquire w be "o ( ?is k9d4 ,y w h be=e y a man b5t on cultivat+ a c]ta9 rigid attitude--^: body1 if "o may use ! expression1 is "o va/ gr94 ,n[1 let u g back to ! po9t we wi%$ to cle> up4 ,by ton+ d[n a de=mity t is laughable1 we ought to obta9 an ugl9ess t is comic4 ,a laughable expression ( ! face1 !n1 is "o t w make u ?9k ( some?+ rigid &1 s to speak1 coagulat$1 9 ! wont$ mobility ( ! face4 ,:at we %all see w be an +ra9$ twit*+ or a fix$ grimace4 ,x may be object$ t e habitual expression ( ! face1 ev5 :5 graceful & beautiful1 gives u ?is same impression ( some?+ /]eotyp$8 ,"h an important di/9ction mu/ be drawn4 ,:5 we speak ( expressive beauty or ev5 expressive ugl9ess1 :5 we say t a face possesses expression1 we mean expression t may be /able1 b :i* we conjecture to be mobile4 ,x ma9ta9s1 9 ! mid/ ( its fixity1 a c]ta9 indecision 9 :i* are obscurely portray$ all possible %ades ( ! /ate ( m9d x expresses1 j z ! sunny promise ( a w>m day manife/s itself 9 ! haze ( a spr+ morn+4 ,b a comic expression ( ! face is "o t promises no?+ m ?an x gives4 ,x is a unique & p]man5t grimace4 ,"o w\ld say t ! p]son's :ole moral life has cry/allis$ into ?is p>ticul> ca/ ( features4 ,?is is ! reason :y a face is all ! m comic1 ! m ne>ly x sugge/s to u ! idea ( "s simple me*anical action 9 :i* its p]sonality w\ld = ev] be absorb$4 ,"s faces seem to be always engag$ 9 weep+1 o!rs 9 laugh+ or :i/l+1 o!rs1 aga91 9 et]nally bl[+ an imag9>y trumpet1 & ^! are ! mo/ comic faces ( all4 ,"h aga9 is exemplifi$ ! law accord+ to :i* ! m natural ! explanation ( ! cause1 ! m comic is ! effect4 ,automatism1 inela/icity1 habit t has be5 contract$ & ma9ta9$1 are cle>ly ! causes :y a face makes u laugh4 ,b ?is effect ga9s 9 int5sity :5 we are able to connect ^! *>act]i/ics ) "s deep-seat$ cause1 a c]ta9 fundam5tal abs5tm9d$ness1 z ?\gh ! s\l _h all[$ itself to be fasc9at$ & hypnotis$ by ! mat]iality ( a simple action4 ,we %all n[ und]/& ! comic elem5t 9 c>icature4 ,h[ev] regul> we may imag9e a face to be1 h[ev] h>moni\s its l9es & supple its movem5ts1 _! adju/m5t is nev] altoge!r p]fect3 !re w always be discov]able ! signs ( "s imp5d+ bias1 ! vague sugge/ion ( a possible grimace1 9 %ort "s fav\rite di/ortion t[>ds :i* nature seems to be p>ticul>ly incl9$4 ,! art ( ! c>icaturi/ consi/s 9 detect+ ?is1 at times1 imp]ceptible t5d5cy1 & 9 r5d]+ x visible to all eyes by magnify+ x4 ,he makes 8 models grimace1 z !y w\ld d !mselves if !y w5t to ! end ( _! te!r4 ,b5ea? ! sk9-deep h>mony ( =m1 he div9es ! deep-seat$ recalcitrance ( matt]4 ,he realises disproportions & de=mations :i* mu/ h exi/$ 9 nature z m]e incl9ations1 b :i* h n succe$$ 9 com+ to a head1 be+ held 9 *eck by a high] =ce4 ,8 art1 :i* has a t\* ( ! diabolical1 raises up ! demon :o _h be5 ov]?r[n by ! angel4 ,c]ta9ly1 x is an art t exagg]ates1 & yet ! def9ition w\ld be v f> f complete 7 exagg]ation alone alleg$ to be its aim & object1 = !re exi/ c>icatures t are m lifelike ?an portraits1 c>icatures 9 :i* ! exagg]ation is sc>cely noticeable1 :il/1 inv]sely1 x is q possible to exagg]ate to excess )\t obta9+ a real c>icature4 ,= exagg]ation to be comic1 x mu/ n appe> z an aim1 b r z a means t ! arti/ is us+ 9 ord] to make manife/ to our eyes ! di/ortions :i* he sees 9 embryo4 ,x is ?is process ( di/ortion t is ( mom5t & int]e/4 ,& t is precisely :y we %all look = x ev5 9 ^? elem5ts ( ! face t are incapable ( movem5t1 9 ! curve ( a nose or ! %ape ( an e>4 ,=1 9 our eyes1 =m is always ! outl9e ( a movem5t4 ,! c>icaturi/ :o alt]s ! size ( a nose1 b respects its gr\nd plan1 l5g!n+ x1 = in/ance1 9 ! v direction 9 :i* x 0 be+ l5g!n$ by nature1 is really mak+ ! nose indulge 9 a gr94 ,h5ce=? we %all always look ^u ! orig9al z hav+ det]m9$ to l5g!n itself & />t gr9n+4 ,9 ?is s5se1 "o might say t ,nature h]self (t5 meets ) ! successes ( a c>icaturi/4 ,9 ! movem5t ?r\gh :i* %e has slit t m\?1 curtail$ t *9 & bulg$ out t *eek1 %e w\ld appe> to h succe$$ 9 complet+ ! int5d$ grimace1 ?us outwitt+ ! re/ra9+ sup]vision ( a m reasonable =ce4 ,9 t case1 ! face we laugh at is1 s to speak1 its own c>icature4 ,to sum up1 :atev] be ! doctr9e to :i* our reason ass5ts1 our imag9ation has a v cle>-cut philosophy ( its own3 9 e human =m x sees ! ef=t ( a s\l :i* is %ap+ matt]1 a s\l :i* is inf9itely supple & p]petually 9 motion1 subject to no law ( gravitation1 = x is n ! e>? t attracts x4 ,?is s\l imp>ts a portion ( its w+$ lightness to ! body x animates3 ! immat]iality :i* ?us passes into matt] is :at is call$ gracefulness4 ,matt]1 h[ev]1 is ob/9ate & resi/s4 ,x draws to itself ! ev]-al]t activity ( ?is high] pr9ciple1 w\ld fa9 conv]t x to its own in]tia & cause x to rev]t to m]e automatism4 ,x w\ld fa9 immobilise ! intellig5tly v>i$ movem5ts ( ! body 9 /upidly contract$ grooves1 /]eotype 9 p]man5t grimaces ! fleet+ expressions ( ! face1 9 %ort impr9t on ! :ole p]son su* an attitude z to make x appe> imm]s$ & absorb$ 9 ! mat]iality ( "s me*anical occupation in/ead ( ceaselessly r5ew+ its vitality by keep+ 9 t\* ) a liv+ ideal4 ,:]e matt] ?us succe$s 9 dull+ ! outw>d life ( ! s\l1 9 petrify+ its movem5ts & ?w>t+ its gracefulness1 x a*ieves1 at ! exp5se ( ! body1 an effect t is comic4 ,if1 !n1 at ?is po9t we wi%$ to def9e ! comic by comp>+ x ) its contr>y1 we %\ld h to contra/ x ) gracefulness ev5 m ?an ) beauty4 ,x p>takes r ( ! unsprightly ?an ( ! unsightly1 ( ,,rigidness r ?an ( ,,ugl9ess4 ,,iv ,we w n[ pass f ! comic elem5t 9 ,,=ms to t 9 ,,ge/ures & ,,movem5ts4 ,let u at once /ate ! law :i* seems to gov]n all ! ph5om5a ( ?is k9d4 ,x may inde$ be d$uc$ )\t any difficulty f ! consid]ations /at$ above4 ,,! ,,attitudes1 ,,ge/ures ,,& ,,movem5ts ,,( ,,! ,,human ,,body ,,are ,,laughable ,,9 ,,exact ,,proportion ,,z ,,t ,,body ,,rem9ds ,,u ,,( ,a ,,m]e ,,ma*9e4 ,!re is no ne$ to foll[ ?is law ?r\gh ! details ( its imm$iate applications1 :i* are innum]able4 ,to v]ify x directly1 x w\ld be suffici5t to /udy closely ! "w ( comic arti/s1 elim9at+ entirely ! elem5t ( c>icature1 & omitt+ t portion ( ! comic :i* is n inh]5t 9 ! draw+ itself4 ,=1 obvi\sly1 ! comic elem5t 9 a draw+ is (t5 a borr[$ "o1 = :i* ! text supplies all ! /ock-9-trade4 ,i mean t ! arti/ may be 8 own und]/udy 9 ! %ape ( a satiri/1 or ev5 a playwright1 & t !n we laugh f> less at ! draw+s !mselves ?an at ! satire or comic incid5t !y repres5t4 ,b if we devote our :ole att5tion to ! draw+ ) ! firm resolve to ?9k ( no?+ else1 we %all probably f9d t x is g5]ally comic 9 proportion to ! cle>ness1 z well z ! subtl5ess1 ) :i* x enables u to see a man z a jo9t$ puppet4 ,! sugge/ion mu/ be a cle> "o1 = inside ! p]son we mu/ di/9ctly p]ceive1 z ?\gh ?r\gh a glass1 a set-up me*anism4 ,b ! sugge/ion mu/ also be a subtle "o1 = ! g5]al appe>ance ( ! p]son1 ^: e limb has be5 made rigid z a ma*9e1 mu/ cont9ue to give u ! impression ( a liv+ be+4 ,! m exactly ^! two images1 t ( a p]son & t ( a ma*9e1 fit into ea* o!r1 ! m /rik+ is ! comic effect1 & ! m consummate ! art ( ! draughtsman4 ,! orig9ality ( a comic arti/ is ?us express$ 9 ! special k9d ( life he imp>ts to a m]e puppet4 ,we w1 h[ev]1 leave on "o side ! imm$iate application ( ! pr9ciple1 & at ?is po9t insi/ only on ! m remote consequ5ces4 ,! illusion ( a ma*9e work+ 9 ! inside ( ! p]son is a ?+ t only crops up amid a ho/ ( amus+ effects2 b = ! mo/ "p x is a fleet+ glimpse1 t is imm$iately lo/ 9 ! laught] x provokes4 ,to r5d] x p]man5t1 analysis & reflection mu/ be call$ into play4 ,9 a public speak]1 = in/ance1 we f9d t ge/ure vies ) spee*4 ,jeal\s ( ! latt]1 ge/ure closely dogs ! speak]'s ?\ght1 dem&+ also to act z int]pret]4 ,well & good2 b !n x mu/ pl$ge itself to foll[ ?\ght ?r\gh all ! phases ( its developm5t4 ,an idea is some?+ t gr[s1 buds1 blossoms & rip5s f ! beg9n+ to ! end ( a spee*4 ,x nev] halts1 nev] repeats itself4 ,x mu/ be *ang+ e mom5t1 = to cease to *ange w\ld be to cease to live4 ,!n let ge/ure display a l animation6 ,let x accept ! fundam5tal law ( life1 :i* is ! complete negation ( repetition6 ,b ,i f9d t a c]ta9 movem5t ( head or arm1 a movem5t always ! same1 seems to return at regul> int]vals4 ,if ,i notice x & x succe$s 9 div]t+ my att5tion1 if ,i wait = x to occur & x occurs :5 ,i expect x1 !n involunt>ily ,i laugh4 ,:y8 ,because ,i n[ h be=e me a ma*9e t works automatically4 ,?is is no long] life1 x is automatism e/abli%$ 9 life & imitat+ x4 ,x belongs to ! comic4 ,?is is also ! reason :y ge/ures1 at :i* we nev] dreamt ( laugh+1 become laughable :5 imitat$ by ano!r individual4 ,! mo/ elaborate explanations h be5 (f]$ = ?is extremely simple fact4 ,a little reflection1 h[ev]1 w %[ t our m5tal /ate is ev] *ang+1 & t if our ge/ures fai?fully foll[$ ^! inn] movem5ts1 if !y 7 z fully alive z we1 !y w\ld nev] repeat !mselves1 & s w\ld keep imitation at bay4 ,we beg91 !n1 to become imitable only :5 we cease to be ourselves4 ,i mean our ge/ures c only be imitat$ 9 _! me*anical uni=mity1 & !re=e exactly 9 :at is ali5 to our liv+ p]sonality4 ,to imitate any "o is to br+ out ! elem5t ( automatism he has all[$ to creep into 8 p]son4 ,& z ?is is ! v ess5ce ( ! ludicr\s1 x is no wond] t imitation gives rise to laught]4 ,/ill1 if ! imitation ( ge/ures is intr9sically laughable1 x w become ev5 m s :5 x busies itself 9 deflect+ !m1 ?\gh )\t alt]+ _! =m1 t[>ds "s me*anical occupation1 su* z saw+ wood1 /rik+ on an anvil1 or tugg+ away at an imag9>y bell-rope4 ,n t vulg>ity is ! ess5ce ( ! comic1--al?\gh c]ta9ly x is to "s ext5t an +r$i5t1--b r t ! incrim9at$ ge/ure seems m frankly me*anical :5 x c be connect$ ) a simple op]ation1 z ?\gh x 7 int5tionally me*anical4 ,to sugge/ ?is me*anical int]pretation ought to be "o ( ! fav\rite devices ( p>ody4 ,we h rea*$ ?is result ?r\gh d$uction1 b ,i imag9e cl[ns h long _h an intuition ( ! fact4 ,?is seems to me ! solution ( ! little riddle prop\nd$ by ,pascal 9 "o passage ( 8 ,?\ghts3 ,two faces t are alike1 al?\gh nei!r ( !m excites laught] by itself1 make u laugh :5 toge!r1 on acc\nt ( _! lik5ess4 ,x might j z well be said3 ,! ge/ures ( a public speak]1 no "o ( :i* is laughable by itself1 excite laught] by _! repetition4 ,! tru? is t a really liv+ life %\ld nev] repeat itself4 ,:]ev] !re is repetition or complete simil>ity1 we always suspect "s me*anism at "w beh9d ! liv+4 ,analyse ! impression y get f two faces t are too mu* alike1 & y w f9d t y are ?9k+ ( two copies ca/ 9 ! same m\ld1 or two impressions ( ! same seal1 or two reproductions ( ! same negative1--9 a ^w1 ( "s manufactur+ process or o!r4 ,?is deflection ( life t[>ds ! me*anical is "h ! real cause ( laught]4 ,& laught] w be m pron\nc$ /ill1 if we f9d on ! /age n m]ely two *>act]s1 z 9 ! example f ,pascal1 b sev]al1 nay1 z great a numb] z possible1 ! image ( "o ano!r1 :o come & g1 dance & ge/iculate toge!r1 simultane\sly /rik+ ! same attitudes & toss+ _! arms ab\t 9 ! same mann]4 ,?is "t1 we di/9ctly ?9k ( m>ionettes4 ,invisible ?reads seem to u to be jo9+ arms to arms1 legs to legs1 ea* muscle 9 "o face to its fell[-muscle 9 ! o!r3 by reason ( ! absolute uni=mity :i* prevails1 ! v li!ness ( ! bodies seems to /iff5 z we gaze1 & ! actors !mselves seem trans=m$ into automata4 ,su*1 at lea/1 appe>s to be ! artifice und]ly+ ?is some:at obvi\s =m ( amusem5t4 ,i d>esay ! p]=m]s h nev] read ,pascal1 b :at !y d is m]ely to realise to ! full ! sugge/ions conta9$ 9 ,pascal's words4 ,if1 z is und\bt$ly ! case1 laught] is caus$ 9 ! second in/ance by ! halluc9ation ( a me*anical effect1 x mu/ already h be5 s1 ?\gh 9 m subtle fa%ion1 9 ! fir/4 ,cont9u+ along ?is pa?1 we dimly p]ceive ! increas+ly important & f>-rea*+ consequ5ces ( ! law we h j /at$4 ,we fa9tly cat* /ill m fugitive glimpses ( me*anical effects1 glimpses sugge/$ by man's complex actions1 no long] m]ely by 8 ge/ures4 ,we in/9ctively feel t ! usual devices ( com$y1 ! p]iodical repetition ( a ^w or a sc5e1 ! sy/ematic inv]sion ( ! p>ts1 ! geometrical developm5t ( a f>cical misund]/&+1 & _m o!r /age contrivances1 mu/ d]ive _! comic =ce f ! same s\rce1--! art ( ! playwright probably consi/+ 9 sett+ be=e u an obvi\s clockwork arrangem5t ( human ev5ts1 :ile c>efully pres]v+ an outw>d aspect ( probability & !reby reta9+ some?+ ( ! suppl5ess ( life4 ,b we mu/ n =e/all results :i* w be duly disclos$ 9 ! c\rse ( our analysis4 ,v ,be=e go+ fur!r1 let u halt a mom5t & glance ar\nd4 ,z we h9t$ at ! outset ( ?is /udy1 x w\ld be idle to attempt to d]ive e comic effect f "o simple =mula4 ,! =mula exi/s well en\gh 9 a c]ta9 s5se1 b its developm5t does n foll[ a /raight=w>d c\rse4 ,:at ,i mean is t ! process ( d$uction ought f "t to "t to /op & /udy c]ta9 culm9at+ effects1 & t ^! effects ea* appe> z models r\nd :i* new effects resembl+ !m take _! places 9 a circle4 ,^! latt] are n d$uctions f ! =mula1 b are comic ?r\gh _! relation%ip ) ^? t are4 ,to quote ,pascal aga91 ,i see no objection1 at ?is /age1 to def9+ ! process by ! curve :i* t geometrician /udi$ "u ! "n ( r\lette or cycloid1--! curve trac$ by a po9t 9 ! circumf]5ce ( a :eel :5 ! c>riage is advanc+ 9 a /raight l9e3 ?is po9t turns l ! :eel1 ?\gh x advances l ! c>riage4 ,or else we might ?9k ( an imm5se av5ue su* z are to be se5 9 ! =e/ ( ,fonta9ebleau1 ) crosses at int]vals to indicate ! cross-ways3 at ea* ( ^! we %all walk r\nd ! cross1 explore = a :ile ! pa?s t op5 out be=e u1 & !n return to our orig9al c\rse4 ,n[1 we h j rea*$ "o ( ^! m5tal crossways4 ,some?+ me*anical encru/$ on ! liv+1 w repres5t a cross at :i* we mu/ halt1 a c5tral image f :i* ! imag9ation bran*es (f 9 diff]5t directions4 ,:at are ^! directions8 ,!re appe> to be ?ree ma9 ones4 ,we w foll[ !m "o aft] ! o!r1 & !n cont9ue our onw>d c\rse4 #a4 ,9 ! fir/ place1 ?is view ( ! me*anical & ! liv+ dovetail$ into ea* o!r makes u incl9e t[>ds ! vagu] image ( ,,"s ,,rigidity ,,or ,,o!r appli$ to ! mobility ( life1 9 an awkw>d attempt to foll[ its l9es & c\nt]feit its suppl5ess4 ,"h we p]ceive h[ easy x is = a g>m5t to become ridicul\s4 ,x might almo/ be said t e fa%ion is laughable 9 "s respect4 ,only1 :5 we are deal+ ) ! fa%ion ( ! day1 we are s accu/om$ to x t ! g>m5t seems1 9 our m9d1 to =m "o ) ! individual we>+ x4 ,we d n sep>ate !m 9 imag9ation4 ,! idea no long] occurs to u to contra/ ! in]t rigidity ( ! cov]+ ) ! liv+ suppl5ess ( ! object cov]$3 consequ5tly1 ! comic "h rema9s 9 a lat5t condition4 ,x w only succe$ 9 em]g+ :5 ! natural incompatibility is s deep-seat$ betwe5 ! cov]+ & ! cov]$ t ev5 an immemorial association fails to cem5t ?is union3 a case 9 po9t is our head & top hat4 ,suppose1 h[ev]1 "s ecc5tric individual dresses himself 9 ! fa%ion ( =m] times3 our att5tion is imm$iately drawn to ! clo!s !mselves1 we absolutely di/+ui% !m f ! individual1 we say t ! latt] ,,is ,,disguis+ ,,himself1--z ?\gh e article ( clo?+ 7 n a disguise6--& ! laughable aspect ( fa%ion comes out ( ! %ad[ into ! light4 ,"h we are beg9n+ to cat* a fa9t glimpse ( ! highly intricate difficulties rais$ by ?is problem ( ! comic4 ,"o ( ! reasons t mu/ h giv5 rise to _m errone\s or unsatisfactory !ories ( laught] is t _m ?+s are comic de jure )\t be+ comic de facto1 ! cont9uity ( cu/om hav+ dead5$ )9 !m ! comic quality4 ,a sudd5 dissolution ( cont9uity is ne$$1 a break ) fa%ion1 = ?is quality to revive4 ,h5ce ! impression t ?is dissolution ( cont9uity is ! p>5t ( ! comic1 :]eas all x does is to br+ x to our notice4 ,h5ce1 aga91 ! explanation ( laught] by surprise1 contra/1 etc41 def9itions :i* w\ld equally apply to a ho/ ( cases 9 :i* we h no incl9ation :atev] to laugh4 ,! tru? ( ! matt] is f> f be+ s simple4 ,b to return to our idea ( disguise1 :i*1 z we h j %[n1 has be5 entru/$ ) ! special m&ate ( ar\s+ laught]4 ,x w n be out ( place to inve/igate ! uses x makes ( ?is p[]4 ,:y d we laugh at a head ( hair :i* has *ang$ f d>k to blond8 ,:at is !re comic ab\t a rubicund nose8 ,& :y does "o laugh at a negro8 ,! "q w\ld appe> to be an emb>rass+ "o1 = x has be5 ask$ by successive psy*ologi/s su* z ,heck]1 ,kraepel9 & ,lipps1 & all h giv5 diff]5t replies4 ,& yet ,i r fancy ! correct answ] 0 sugge/$ to me "o day 9 ! /reet by an ord9>y cabby1 :o appli$ ! expression unwa%$ to ! negro f>e he 0 driv+4 ,unwa%$6 ,does n ?is mean t a black face1 9 our imag9ation1 is "o daub$ ov] ) ink or soot8 ,if s1 !n a r$ nose c only be "o :i* has receiv$ a coat+ ( v]milion4 ,& s we see t ! notion ( disguise has pass$ on some?+ ( its comic quality to in/ances 9 :i* !re is actually no disguise1 ?\gh !re might be4 ,9 ! =m] set ( examples1 al?\gh 8 usual dress 0 di/9ct f ! individual1 x appe>$ 9 our m9d to =m "o ) him1 because we _h become accu/om$ to ! sight4 ,9 ! latt]1 al?\gh ! black or r$ col\r is inde$ inh]5t 9 ! sk91 we look ^u x z artificially laid on1 because x surprises u4 ,b "h we meet ) a fre% crop ( difficulties 9 ! !ory ( ! comic4 ,su* a proposition z ! foll[+3 ,my usual dress =ms "p ( my body is absurd 9 ! eyes ( reason4 ,yet imag9ation looks ^u x z true4 ,a r$ nose is a pa9t$ nose1 ,a negro is a :ite man 9 disguise1 are also absurd to ! reason :i* rationalises2 b !y are gospel tru?s to pure imag9ation4 ,s !re is a logic ( ! imag9ation :i* is n ! logic ( reason1 "o :i* at times is ev5 oppos$ to ! latt]1--) :i*1 h[ev]1 philosophy mu/ reckon1 n only 9 ! /udy ( ! comic1 b 9 e o!r inve/igation ( ! same k9d4 ,x is some?+ l ! logic ( dreams1 ?\gh ( dreams t h n be5 left to ! :im ( individual fancy1 be+ ! dreams dreamt by ! :ole ( society4 ,9 ord] to recon/ruct ?is hidd5 logic1 a special k9d ( ef=t is ne$$1 by :i* ! out] cru/ ( c>efully /ratifi$ judgm5ts & firmly e/abli%$ ideas w be lift$1 & we %all behold 9 ! dep?s ( our m9d1 l a %eet ( subt]ranean wat]1 ! fl[ ( an unbrok5 /ream ( images :i* pass f "o into ano!r4 ,?is int]p5etration ( images does n come ab\t by *ance4 ,x obeys laws1 or r habits1 :i* hold ! same relation to imag9ation t logic does to ?\ght4 ,let u !n foll[ ?is logic ( ! imag9ation 9 ! special case 9 h&4 ,a man 9 disguise is comic4 ,a man we reg>d z disguis$ is also comic4 ,s1 by analogy1 any disguise is se5 to become comic1 n only t ( a man1 b t ( society also1 & ev5 ! disguise ( nature4 ,let u />t ) nature4 ,y laugh at a dog t is half-clipp$1 at a b$ ( artificially col\r$ fl[]s1 at a wood 9 :i* ! trees are pla/]$ ov] ) election addresses1 etc4 ,look = ! reason1 & y w see t y are once m ?9k+ ( a masqu]ade4 ,"h1 h[ev]1 ! comic elem5t is v fa9t2 x is too f> f its s\rce4 ,if y wi% to /r5g!n x1 y mu/ g back to ! s\rce itself & contra/ ! d]iv$ image1 t ( a masqu]ade1 ) ! orig9al "o1 :i*1 be x rememb]$1 0 t ( a me*anical tamp]+ ) life4 ,9 a nature t is me*anically tamp]$ ) we possess a ?or\ghly comic !me1 on :i* fancy w be able to play ev] s _m v>iations ) ! c]ta9ty ( successfully provok+ ! he>tie/ hil>ity4 ,y may call to m9d t amus+ passage 9 ,t>t>9 ,sur ,les ,alpes1 9 :i* ,bomp>d makes ,t>t>9--& !re=e also ! read] to "s slight ext5t--accept ! idea ( a ,switz]l& *oke-full ( ma*9]y l ! basem5t ( ! op]a1 & run by a company :i* ma9ta9s a s]ies ( wat]falls1 glaci]s & artificial crevasses4 ,! same !me reappe>s1 ?\gh transpos$ 9 q ano!r key1 9 ! ,novel ,notes ( ! ,engli% humori/1 ,j]ome ,k4 ,j]ome4 ,an eld]ly ,lady ,b\ntiful1 :o does n want h] de$s ( *>ity to take up too mu* ( h] "t1 provides homes )9 easy hail ( h] mansion = ! conv]sion ( a!i/s :o h be5 specially manufactur$ = h]1 s to speak1 & = a numb] ( hone/ folk :o h be5 made into drunk>ds s t %e may cure !m ( _! fail+1 etc4 ,!re are comic phrases 9 :i* ?is !me is audible1 l a di/ant e*o1 c\pl$ ) an +5u\sness1 :e!r s9c]e or affect$1 :i* acts z accompanim5t4 ,take1 z an in/ance1 ! rem>k made by a lady :om ,cass9i1 ! a/ronom]1 _h invit$ to see an eclipse ( ! moon4 ,arriv+ too late1 %e said1 ,m4 de ,cass9i1 ,i "k1 w h ! goodness to beg9 x all ov] aga91 to please me4 ,or1 take aga9 ! exclamation ( "o ( ,gondi9et's *>act]s on arriv+ 9 a t[n & le>n+ t !re is an ext9ct volcano 9 ! neighb\rhood1 ,!y _h a volcano1 & !y h let x g out6 ,let u g on to society4 ,z we are bo? 9 & ( x1 we _c help treat+ x z a liv+ be+4 ,any image1 !n1 sugge/ive ( ! notion ( a society disguis+ itself1 or ( a social masqu]ade1 s to speak1 w be laughable4 ,n[1 su* a notion is =m$ :5 we p]ceive any?+ in]t or /]eotyp$1 or simply ready-made1 on ! surface ( liv+ society4 ,!re we h rigidity ov] aga91 cla%+ ) ! inn] suppl5ess ( life4 ,! c]emonial side ( social life mu/1 !re=e1 always include a lat5t comic elem5t1 :i* is only wait+ = an opportunity to bur/ into full view4 ,x might be said t c]emonies are to ! social body :at clo?+ is to ! individual body3 !y owe _! s]i\sness to ! fact t !y are id5tifi$1 9 our m9ds1 ) ! s]i\s object ) :i* cu/om associates !m1 & :5 we isolate !m 9 imag9ation1 !y =?) lose _! s]i\sness4 ,= any c]emony1 !n1 to become comic1 x is en\gh t our att5tion be fix$ on ! c]emonial elem5t 9 x1 & t we neglect its matt]1 z philosoph]s say1 & ?9k only ( its =m4 ,e "o kn[s h[ easily ! comic _s ex]cises its +5uity on social actions ( a /]eotyp$ nature1 f an ord9>y prize-di/ribution to ! solemn sitt+ ( a c\rt ( ju/ice4 ,any =m or =mula is a ready-made frame into :i* ! comic elem5t may be fitt$4 ,"h1 aga91 ! comic w be emphasis$ by br++ x ne>] to its s\rce4 ,f ! idea ( trave/y1 a d]iv$ "o1 we mu/ g back to ! orig9al idea1 t ( a me*anism sup]pos$ ^u life4 ,already1 ! /iff & />*$ =mality ( any c]emonial sugge/s to u an image ( ?is k9d4 ,=1 z soon z we =get ! s]i\s object ( a solemnity or a c]emony1 ^? tak+ "p 9 x give u ! impression ( puppets 9 motion4 ,_! mobility seems to adopt z a model ! immobility ( a =mula4 ,x becomes automatism4 ,b complete automatism is only rea*$ 9 ! (ficial1 = in/ance1 :o p]=ms 8 duty l a m]e ma*9e1 or aga9 9 ! unconsci\sness t m>ks an adm9i/rative regulation work+ ) inexorable fatality1 & sett+ itself up = a law ( nature4 ,q by *ance1 :5 read+ ! newspap]1 ,i came across a specim5 ( ! comic ( ?is type4 ,tw5ty ye>s ago1 a l>ge /eam] 0 wreck$ (f ! coa/ at ,dieppe4 ,) consid]able difficulty "s ( ! pass5g]s 7 rescu$ 9 a boat4 ,a few cu/om-h\se (fic]s1 :o _h c\rage\sly ru%$ to _! assi/ance1 began by ask+ !m if !y _h any?+ to decl>e4 ,we f9d some?+ simil>1 ?\gh ! idea is a m subtle "o1 9 ! rem>k ( an ,m4,p4 :5 que/ion+ ! ,home ,secret>y on ! morr[ ( a t]rible murd] :i* took place 9 a railway c>riage3 ,! assass91 aft] despat*+ 8 victim1 mu/ h got out ! wrong side ( ! tra91 !reby infr++ ! ,company's rules4 ,a me*anical elem5t introduc$ into nature & an automatic regulation ( society1 su*1 !n1 are ! two types ( laughable effects at :i* we h arriv$4 ,x rema9s = u1 9 conclusion1 to comb9e !m & see :at ! result w be4 ,! result ( ! comb9ation w evid5tly be a human regulation ( affairs usurp+ ! place ( ! laws ( nature4 ,we may call to m9d ! answ] ,sgan>elle gave ,g]onte :5 ! latt] rem>k$ t ! he>t 0 on ! left side & ! liv] on ! "r3 ,yes1 x 0 s =m]ly1 b we h alt]$ all t2 n[1 we practise m$ic9e 9 q a new way4 ,we may also recall ! consultation betwe5 ,m4 de ,p\rceaugnac's two doctors3 ,! argum5ts y h us$ are s erudite & elegant t x is impossible = ! pati5t n to be hypo*ondriacally melan*olic2 or1 ev5 if he 7 n1 he mu/ surely become s because ( ! elegance ( ! ?+s y h said & ! accuracy ( y\r reason+4 ,we might multiply examples1 = all we ne$ d w\ld be to call up ,moli]e's doctors1 "o aft] ! o!r4 ,h[ev] f>1 moreov]1 comic fancy may seem to g1 reality at times und]takes to improve ^u x4 ,x 0 sugge/$ to a contempor>y philosoph]1 an out-&-out argu]1 t 8 argum5ts1 ?\gh irreproa*able 9 _! d$uctions1 _h exp]i5ce aga9/ !m4 ,he put an end to ! discussion by m]ely rem>k+1 ,exp]i5ce is 9 ! wrong4 ,! tru? is1 ?is idea ( regulat+ life z a matt] ( bus9ess r\t9e is m widespread ?an might be imag9$2 x is natural 9 its way1 al?\gh we h j obta9$ x by an artificial process ( recon/ruction4 ,"o might say t x gives u ! v qu9tess5ce ( p$antry1 :i*1 at bottom1 is no?+ else ?an art pret5d+ to outdo nature4 ,to sum up1 !n1 we h "o & ! same effect1 :i* assumes ev] subtl] =ms z x passes f ! idea ( an artificial ,,me*anisation ( ! human body1 if su* an expression is p]missible1 to t ( any sub/itution :atsoev] ( ! artificial = ! natural4 ,a less & less rigor\s logic1 t m & m resembles ! logic ( dreaml&1 transf]s ! same relation%ip into high] & high] sph]es1 betwe5 increas+ly immat]ial t]ms1 till 9 ! end we f9d a m]e adm9i/rative enactm5t occupy+ ! same relation to a natural or moral law t a ready-made g>m5t1 = in/ance1 does to ! liv+ body4 ,we h n[ gone "r to ! end ( ! fir/ ( ! ?ree directions we _h to foll[4 ,let u turn to ! second & see :]e x w lead u4 #b4 ,our />t+-po9t is aga9 some?+ me*anical encru/$ ^u ! liv+4 ,:]e did ! comic come f 9 ?is case8 ,x came f ! fact t ! liv+ body became rigid1 l a ma*9e4 ,accord+ly1 x seem$ to u t ! liv+ body ought to be ! p]fection ( suppl5ess1 ! ev]-al]t activity ( a pr9ciple always at "w4 ,b ?is activity w\ld really belong to ! s\l r ?an to ! body4 ,x w\ld be ! v flame ( life1 k9dl$ )9 u by a high] pr9ciple & p]ceiv$ ?r\gh ! body1 z if ?r\gh a glass4 ,:5 we see only gracefulness & suppl5ess 9 ! liv+ body1 x is because we disreg>d 9 x ! elem5ts ( weight1 ( resi/ance1 &1 9 a ^w1 ( matt]2 we =get its mat]iality & ?9k only ( its vitality1 a vitality :i* we reg>d z d]iv$ f ! v pr9ciple ( intellectual & moral life1 ,let u suppose1 h[ev]1 t our att5tion is drawn to ?is mat]ial side ( ! body2 t1 s f> f %>+ 9 ! lightness & subtlety ( ! pr9ciple ) :i* x is animat$1 ! body is no m 9 our eyes ?an a heavy & cumb]some ve/ure1 a k9d ( irksome balla/ :i* holds d[n to e>? a s\l eag] to rise al(t4 ,!n ! body w become to ! s\l :at1 z we h j se51 ! g>m5t 0 to ! body itself--in]t matt] dump$ d[n ^u liv+ en]gy4 ,! impression ( ! comic w be produc$ z soon z we h a cle> appreh5sion ( ?is putt+ ! "o on ! o!r4 ,& we %all exp]i5ce x mo/ /rongly :5 we are %[n ! s\l ,,tantalis$ by ! ne$s ( ! body3 on ! "o h&1 ! moral p]sonality ) its intellig5tly v>i$ en]gy1 &1 on ! o!r1 ! /upidly monoton\s body1 p]petually ob/ruct+ ev]y?+ ) its ma*9e-l ob/9acy4 ,! m paltry & uni=mly repeat$ ^! claims ( ! body1 ! m /rik+ w be ! result4 ,b t is only a matt] ( degree1 & ! g5]al law ( ^! ph5om5a may be =mulat$ z foll[s3 ,,any ,,incid5t ,,is ,,comic ,,t ,,calls ,,our ,,att5tion ,,to ,,! ,,physical ,,9 ,a ,,p]son ,,:5 ,,x ,,is ,,! ,,moral ,,side ,,t ,,is ,,conc]n$4 ,:y d we laugh at a public speak] :o sneezes j at ! mo/ pa!tic mom5t ( 8 spee*8 ,:]e lies ! comic elem5t 9 ?is s5t5ce1 tak5 f a fun]al spee* & quot$ by a ,g]man philosoph]3 ,he 0 virtu\s & plump8 ,x lies 9 ! fact t our att5tion is sudd5ly recall$ f ! s\l to ! body4 ,simil> in/ances ab\nd 9 daily life1 b if y d n c>e to take ! tr\ble to look = !m1 y h only to op5 at r&om a volume ( ,labi*e1 & y w be almo/ c]ta9 to light ^u an effect ( ?is k9d4 ,n[1 we h a speak] ^: mo/ eloqu5t s5t5ces are cut %ort by ! tw+es ( a bad too?2 n[1 "o ( ! *>act]s :o nev] beg9s to speak )\t /opp+ 9 ! middle to compla9 ( 8 %oes be+ too small1 or 8 belt too tight1 etc4 ,a ,,p]son ,,emb>rass$ ,,by ,,8 ,,body is ! image sugge/$ to u 9 all ^! examples4 ,! reason t excessive /\tness is laughable is probably because x calls up an image ( ! same k9d4 ,i almo/ ?9k t ?is too is :at sometime makes ba%fulness some:at ridicul\s4 ,! ba%ful man r gives ! impression ( a p]son emb>rass$ by 8 body1 look+ r\nd = "s conv5i5t cloak-room 9 :i* to deposit x4 ,?is is j :y ! tragic poet is s c>eful to avoid any?+ calculat$ to attract att5tion to ! mat]ial side ( 8 h]oes4 ,no soon] does anxiety ab\t ! body manife/ itself ?an ! intrusion ( a comic elem5t is to be fe>$4 ,on ?is acc\nt1 ! h]o 9 a trag$y does n eat or dr9k or w>m himself4 ,he does n ev5 sit d[n any m ?an c be help$4 ,to sit d[n 9 ! middle ( a f9e spee* w\ld imply t y rememb]$ y _h a body4 ,napoleon1 :o 0 a psy*ologi/ :5 he wi%$ to be s1 _h notic$ t ! transition f trag$y to com$y is effect$ simply by sitt+ d[n4 ,9 ! ,j\rnal in$it ( ,b>on ,g\rgaud--:5 speak+ ( an int]view ) ! ,que5 ( ,prussia aft] ! battle ( ,i5a--he expresses himself 9 ! foll[+ t]ms3 ,%e receiv$ me 9 tragic fa%ion l ,*im5e3 ,ju/ice6 ,sire1 ,ju/ice6 ,magdeburg6 ,?us %e cont9u$ 9 a way mo/ emb>rass+ to me4 ,f9ally1 to make h] *ange h] /yle1 ,i reque/$ h] to take a seat4 ,?is is ! be/ me?od = cutt+ %ort a tragic sc5e1 = z soon z y are seat$ x all becomes com$y4 ,let u n[ give a wid] scope to ?is image ( ,,! ,,body ,,tak+ ,,prec$5ce ,,( ,,! ,,s\l4 ,we %all obta9 some?+ m g5]al--,,! ,,mann] ,,seek+ ,,to ,,outdo ,,! ,,matt]1 ,,! ,,lett] ,,aim+ ,,at ,,ou/+ ,,! ,,_s4 ,is x n p]*ance ?is idea t com$y is try+ to sugge/ to u :5 hold+ up a pr(ession to ridicule8 ,x makes ! lawy]1 ! magi/rate & ! doctor speak z ?\gh heal? & ju/ice 7 ( little mom5t1--! ma9 po9t be+ t we %\ld h lawy]s1 magi/rates & doctors1 & t all outw>d =malities p]ta9+ to ^! pr(essions %\ld be scrupul\sly respect$4 ,& s we f9d ! means sub/itut$ = ! end1 ! mann] = ! matt]2 no long] is x ! pr(ession t is made = ! public1 b r ! public = ! pr(ession4 ,con/ant att5tion to =m & ! me*anical application ( rules "h br+ ab\t a k9d ( pr(essional automatism analog\s to t impos$ ^u ! s\l by ! habits ( ! body1 & equally laughable4 ,num]\s are ! examples ( ?is on ! /age4 ,)\t ent]+ into details ( ! v>iations execut$ on ?is !me1 let u quote two or ?ree passages 9 :i* ! !me itself is set =? 9 all its simplicity4 ,y are only b\nd to treat p accord+ to =m1 says ,doctor ,diafoirus 9 ! ,malade imag9aire4 ,aga91 says ,doctor ,bahis1 9 ,l',am\r m$ec93 ,x is bett] to die ?r\gh foll[+ ! rules ?an to recov] ?r\gh violat+ !m4 ,9 ! same play1 ,desfon&res _h previ\sly said3 ,we mu/ always obs]ve ! =malities ( pr(essional etiquette1 :atev] may happ54 ,& ! reason is giv5 by ,tomes1 8 colleague3 ,a dead man is b a dead man1 b ! non-obs]vance ( a =mality causes a notable prejudice to ! :ole faculty4 ,brid'oison's words1 ?\gh4 embody+ a r diff]5t idea1 are none ! less significant3 ,f-=m1 m9d y1 f-=m4 ,a man laughs at a judge 9 a morn+ coat1 & yet he w\ld quake ) dread at ! m]e sight ( an attorney 9 8 g[n4 ,f-=m1 all a matt] ( f-=m4 ,"h we h ! fir/ illu/ration ( a law :i* w appe> ) increas+ di/9ctness z we proce$ ) our task4 ,:5 a musician /rikes a note on an in/rum5t1 o!r notes />t up ( !mselves1 n s l\d z ! fir/1 yet connect$ ) x by c]ta9 def9ite relations1 :i* coalesce ) x & det]m9e its quality4 ,^! are :at are call$ 9 physics ! ov]tones ( ! fundam5tal note4 ,x w\ld seem t comic fancy1 ev5 9 its mo/ f>-fet*$ inv5tions1 obeys a simil> law4 ,= in/ance1 consid] ?is comic note3 appe>ance seek+ to triumph ov] reality4 ,if our analysis is correct1 ?is note mu/ h z its ov]tones ! body tantalis+ ! m9d1 ! body tak+ prec$5ce ( ! m9d4 ,no soon]1 !n1 does ! comic poet /rike ! fir/ note ?an he w add ! second on to x1 involunt>ily & in/9ctively4 ,9 o!r words1 ,,he ,,w ,,duplicate ,,:at ,,is ,,ridicul\s ,,pr(essionally ,,) ,,some?+ ,,t ,,is ,,ridicul\s ,,physically4 ,:5 ,brid'oison ! judge comes /amm]+ on to ! /age1 is he n actually prep>+ u1 by ?is v /amm]+1 to und]/& ! ph5om5on ( intellectual ossification we are ab\t to witness8 ,:at bond ( secret relation%ip c !re be betwe5 ! physical defect & ! moral infirmity8 ,x is difficult to say2 yet we feel t ! relation%ip is !re1 ?\gh we _c express x 9 words4 ,p]haps ! situation requir$ t ?is judg+ ma*9e %\ld also appe> be=e u z a talk+ ma*9e4 ,h[ev] x may be1 no o!r ov]tone c\ld m p]fectly h complet$ ! fundam5tal note4 ,:5 ,moli]e introduces to u ! two ridicul\s doctors1 ,bahis & ,macroton1 9 ,l',am\r m$ec91 he makes "o ( !m speak v sl[ly1 z ?\gh scann+ 8 words syllable by syllable1 :il/ ! o!r /utt]s4 ,we f9d ! same contra/ betwe5 ! two lawy]s 9 ,monsieur de ,p\rceaugnac4 ,9 ! rhy?m ( spee* is g5]ally to be f\nd ! physical peculi>ity t is de/9$ to complete ! elem5t ( pr(essional ridicule4 ,:5 ! au?or has fail$ to sugge/ a defect ( ?is k9d1 x is seldom ! case t ! actor does n in/9ctively inv5t "o4 ,consequ5tly1 !re is a natural relation%ip1 :i* we equally naturally recognise1 betwe5 ! two images we h be5 comp>+ ) ea* o!r1 ! m9d cry/allis+ 9 c]ta9 grooves1 & ! body los+ its ela/icity ?r\gh ! influ5ce ( c]ta9 defects4 ,:e!r or n our att5tion be div]t$ f ! matt] to ! mann]1 or f ! moral to ! physical1 9 bo? cases ! same sort ( impression is convey$ to our imag9ation2 9 bo?1 !n1 ! comic is ( ! same k9d4 ,"h1 once m1 x has be5 our aim to foll[ ! natural tr5d ( ! movem5t ( ! imag9ation4 ,?is tr5d or direction1 x may be rememb]$1 0 ! second ( ^? (f]$ to u1 />t+ f a c5tral image4 ,a ?ird & f9al pa? rema9s unexplor$1 along :i* we w n[ proce$4 #c4 ,let u !n return1 = ! la/ "t1 to our c5tral image3 some?+ me*anical encru/$ on some?+ liv+4 ,"h1 ! liv+ be+ "u discussion 0 a human be+1 a p]son4 ,a me*anical arrangem5t1 on ! o!r h&1 is a ?+4 ,:at1 !re=e1 incit$ laught] 0 ! mom5t>y trans=mation ( a p]son into a ?+1 if "o consid]s ! image f ?is /&po9t4 ,let u !n pass f ! exact idea ( a ma*9e to ! vagu] "o ( a ?+ 9 g5]al4 ,we %all h a fre% s]ies ( laughable images :i* w be obta9$ by tak+ a blurr$ impression1 s to speak1 ( ! outl9es ( ! =m] & w br+ u to ?is new law3 ,,we ,,laugh ,,e ,,"t ,a ,,p]son ,,gives ,,u ,,! ,,impression ,,( ,,be+ ,a ,,?+4 ,we laugh at ,san*o ,panza tumbl$ into a b$-quilt & toss$ into ! air l a football4 ,we laugh at ,b>on ,mun*aus5 turn$ into a cannon-ball & travell+ ?r\gh space4 ,b c]ta9 tricks ( circus cl[ns might af=d a /ill m precise exemplification ( ! same law4 ,true1 we %\ld h to elim9ate ! jokes1 m]e int]polations by ! cl[n into 8 ma9 !me1 & keep 9 m9d only ! !me itself1 t is to say1 ! div]s attitudes1 cap]s & movem5ts :i* =m ! /rictly cl[ni% elem5t 9 ! cl[n's art4 ,on two occasions only h ,i be5 able to obs]ve ?is /yle ( ! comic 9 its unadult]at$ /ate1 & 9 bo? ,i receiv$ ! same impression4 ,! fir/ "t1 ! cl[ns came & w5t1 collid$1 fell & jump$ up aga9 9 a uni=mly accel]at$ rhy?m1 visibly int5t ^u affect+ a ,,cresc5do4 ,& x 0 m & m to ! jump+ up aga91 ! ,,reb\nd1 t ! att5tion ( ! public 0 attract$4 ,gradually1 "o lo/ sight ( ! fact t !y 7 m5 ( fle% & blood l ourselves2 "o began to ?9k ( bundles ( all sorts1 fall+ & knock+ aga9/ ea* o!r4 ,!n ! vision assum$ a m def9ite aspect4 ,! =ms grew r\nd]1 ! bodies roll$ toge!r & seem$ to pick !mselves up l balls4 ,!n at la/ appe>$ ! image t[>ds :i* ! :ole ( ?is sc5e _h d\btless be5 unconsci\sly evolv+--l>ge rubb] balls hurl$ aga9/ "o ano!r 9 e direction4 ,! second sc5e1 ?\gh ev5 co>s] ?an ! fir/1 0 no less in/ructive4 ,!re came on ! /age two m51 ea* ) an enorm\s head1 bald z a billi>d ball4 ,9 _! h&s !y c>ri$ l>ge /icks :i* ea*1 9 turn1 br\ght d[n on to ! o!r's cranium4 ,"h1 aga91 a c]ta9 gradation 0 obs]vable4 ,aft] ea* bl[1 ! bodies seem$ to gr[ heavi] & m unyield+1 ov]p[]$ by an increas+ degree ( rigidity4 ,!n came ! return bl[1 9 ea* case heavi] & m res\nd+ ?an ! la/1 com+1 too1 aft] a long] int]val4 ,! skulls gave =? a =midable r+ ?r\gh\t ! sil5t h\se4 ,at la/ ! two bodies1 ea* q rigid & z /raight z an arr[1 sl[ly b5t ov] t[>ds ea* o!r1 ! /icks came cra%+ d[n = ! la/ "t on to ! two heads ) a ?ud z ( enorm\s mallets fall+ ^u oak5 beams1 & ! pair lay prone ^u ! gr\nd4 ,at t in/ant appe>$ 9 all its vividness ! sugge/ion t ! two arti/s _h gradually driv5 into ! imag9ation ( ! spectators3 ,we are ab\t to become 444we h n[ become solid wood5 dummies4 ,a k9d ( dim1 vague in/9ct may enable ev5 an uncultur$ m9d to get an inkl+ "h ( ! subtl] results ( psy*ological sci5ce4 ,we "k t x is possible to call up halluc9atory visions 9 a hypnotis$ subject by simple sugge/ion4 ,if he be told t a bird is p]*$ on 8 h&1 he w see ! bird & wat* x fly away4 ,! idea sugge/$1 h[ev]1 is f> f be+ always accept$ ) l docility4 ,n infrequ5tly1 ! mesm]is] only succe$s 9 gett+ an idea into 8 subject's head by sl[ degrees ?r\gh a c>efully graduat$ s]ies ( h9ts4 ,he w !n />t ) objects really p]ceiv$ by ! subject1 & w endeav\r to make ! p]ception ( ^! objects m & m indef9ite2 !n1 /ep by /ep1 he w br+ out ( ?is /ate ( m5tal *aos ! precise =m ( ! object ( :i* he wi%es to create an halluc9ation4 ,some?+ ( ! k9d happ5s to _m p :5 dropp+ (f to sleep2 !y see ^? col\r$1 fluid1 %apeless masses1 :i* occupy ! field ( vision1 ins5sibly solidify+ into di/9ct objects4 ,consequ5tly1 ! gradual pass+ f ! dim & vague to ! cle> & di/9ct is ! me?od ( sugge/ion p> excell5ce4 ,i fancy x might be f\nd to be at ! root ( a good _m comic sugge/ions1 especially 9 ! co>s] =ms ( ! comic1 9 :i* ! trans=mation ( a p]son into a ?+ seems to be tak+ place be=e our eyes4 ,b !re are o!r & m subtle me?ods 9 use1 among poets1 = in/ance1 :i* p]haps unconsci\sly lead to ! same end4 ,by a c]ta9 arrangem5t ( rhy?m1 rhyme & assonance1 x is possible to lull ! imag9ation1 to rock x to & fro betwe5 l & l ) a regul> see-saw motion1 & ?us prep>e x submissively to accept ! vision sugge/$4 ,li/5 to ^! few l9es ( ,regn>d1 & see :e!r some?+ l ! fleet+ image ( a ,,doll does n cross ! field ( y\r imag9ation3 444 ,plus1 il doit a ma9ts p>ticuli]s ,la somme de dix mil une livre une obole1 ,p\r l'avoir sans rela*e un an sur sa p>ole ,habille1 voiture1 *auffe1 *ausse1 gante1 ,alim5te1 rase1 desalt]e1 porte4 ,footnote3 ,fur!r1 he owes to _m an hone/ wight ,item-! sum two ?\s& p\nds1 "o f>?+1 ,= hav+ on 8 simple ^w ( hon\r ,sans int]mission = an entire ye> ,clo!d him1 convey$ him1 w>m$ him1 %od him1 glov$ him1 ,f$ him & %av$ him1 qu5*$ 8 ?ir/ & borne him4 ,is n some?+ ( ! same k9d f\nd 9 ! foll[+ sally ( ,fig>o's 7?\gh "h an attempt is p]haps made to sugge/ ! image ( an animal r ?an t ( a ?+73 ,quel homme e/-ce8--,c'e/ un beau1 gros1 c\rt1 jeune vieill>d1 gris pommele1 ruse1 rase1 blase1 qui guette et furette1 et gronde et ge9t t\t a la fois4 ,footnote3 ,:at sort ( man is "h8--,he is a h&some1 /\t1 %ort1 y\?ful old g5tleman1 iron-grey1 an artful knave1 clean %av$1 clean 'us$ up1' :o spies & pries & gr[ls & groans all 9 ! same brea?4 ,n[1 betwe5 ^! co>se sc5es & ^! subtle sugge/ions !re is room = a c\ntless numb] ( amus+ effects1 = all ^? t c be obta9$ by talk+ ab\t p]sons z "o w\ld d ab\t m]e ?+s4 ,we w only select "o or two in/ances f ! plays ( ,labi*e1 9 :i* !y are legion4 ,j z ,m4 ,p]ri*on is gett+ into ! railway c>riage1 he makes c]ta9 ( n =gett+ any ( 8 p>cels3 ,f\r1 five1 six1 my wife sev51 my daught] eight1 & myself n9e4 ,9 ano!r play1 a fond fa!r is boa/+ ( 8 daught]'s le>n+ 9 ! foll[+ t]ms3 ,%e w tell y1 )\t falt]+1 all ! k+s ( ,france t h occurr$4 ,?is phrase1 t h occurr$1 ?\gh n exactly trans=m+ ! k+s into m]e ?+s1 lik5s !m1 all ! same1 to ev5ts ( an imp]sonal nature4 ,z reg>ds ?is latt] example1 note t x is unnecess>y to complete ! id5tification ( ! p]son ) ! ?+ 9 ord] to ensure a comic effect4 ,x is suffici5t = u to />t 9 ?is direction by feign+1 = in/ance1 to confuse ! p]son ) ! function he ex]cises4 ,i w only quote a s5t5ce spok5 by a village mayor 9 "o ( ,ab\t's novels3 ,! prefect1 :o has always %[n u ! same k9dness1 ?\gh he has be5 *ang$ sev]al times s9ce #ahdg444 ,all ^! witticisms are con/ruct$ on ! same model4 ,we might make up any numb] ( !m1 :5 once we are 9 possession ( ! recipe4 ,b ! art ( ! /ory-tell] or ! playwright does n m]ely consi/ 9 concoct+ jokes4 ,! difficulty lies 9 giv+ to a joke its p[] ( sugge/ion1 i4e4 9 mak+ x acceptable4 ,& we only d accept x ei!r because x seems to be ! natural product ( a p>ticul> /ate ( m9d or because x is 9 keep+ ) ! circum/ances ( ! case4 ,= in/ance1 we are aw>e t ,m4 ,p]ri*on is greatly excit$ on ! occasion ( 8 fir/ railway j\rney4 ,! expression to occur is "o t mu/ h cropp$ up a good _m times 9 ! lessons repeat$ by ! girl be=e h] fa!r2 x makes u ?9k ( su* a repetition4 ,la/ly1 admiration ( ! gov]nm5tal ma*9e might1 at a p9*1 be ext5d$ to ! po9t ( mak+ u believe t no *ange takes place 9 ! prefect :5 he *anges 8 "n1 & t ! function gets c>ri$ on indep5d5tly ( ! function>y4 ,we h n[ rea*$ a po9t v f> f ! orig9al cause ( laught]4 ,_m a comic =m1 t _c be expla9$ by itself1 c inde$ only be und]/ood f its resemblance to ano!r1 :i* only makes u laugh by reason ( its relation%ip ) a ?ird1 & s on indef9itely1 s t psy*ological analysis1 h[ev] lum9\s & se>*+1 w g a/ray unless x holds ! ?read along :i* ! comic impression has travell$ f "o end ( ! s]ies to ! o!r4 ,:]e does ?is progressive cont9uity come f8 ,:at c be ! driv+ =ce1 ! /range impulse :i* causes ! comic to glide ?us f image to image1 f>!r & f>!r away f ! />t+-po9t1 until x is brok5 up & lo/ 9 inf9itely remote analogies8 ,b :at is t =ce :i* divides & subdivides ! bran*es ( a tree into small] b\ghs & its roots into radicles8 ,an inexorable law dooms e liv+ en]gy1 dur+ ! brief int]val allott$ to x 9 "t1 to cov] ! wide/ possible ext5t 9 space4 ,n[1 comic fancy is inde$ a liv+ en]gy1 a /range plant t has n\ri%$ on ! /ony portions ( ! social soil1 until su* "t z culture %\ld all[ x to vie ) ! mo/ ref9$ products ( art4 ,true1 we are f> f great art 9 ! examples ( ! comic we h j be5 review+4 ,b we %all draw ne>] to x1 ?\gh )\t atta9+ to x completely1 9 ! foll[+ *apt]4 ,bel[ art1 we f9d artifice1 & x is ?is zone ( artifice1 midway betwe5 nature & art1 t we are n[ ab\t to ent]4 ,we are go+ to deal ) ! comic playwright & ! wit4 ,,*apt] ,,ii ,,! ,,comic ,,elem5t ,,9 ,,situations ,,& ,,! ,,comic ,,elem5t ,,9 ,,words ,i ,we h /udi$ ! comic elem5t 9 =ms1 9 attitudes1 & 9 movem5ts g5]ally2 n[ let u look = x 9 actions & 9 situations4 ,we enc\nt]1 inde$1 ?is k9d ( comic readily en\gh 9 ev]yday life4 ,x is n "h1 h[ev]1 t x be/ l5ds itself to analysis4 ,assum+ t ! /age is bo? a magnifi$ & a simplifi$ view ( life1 we %all f9d t com$y is capable ( furni%+ u ) m in=mation ?an real life on ?is p>ticul> "p ( our subject4 ,p]haps we ought ev5 to c>ry simplification /ill f>!r1 &1 go+ back to our e>lie/ recollections1 try to discov]1 9 ! games t amus$ u z *ildr51 ! fir/ fa9t traces ( ! comb9ations t make u laugh z gr[n-up p]sons4 ,we are too apt to speak ( our feel+s ( pleasure & ( pa9 z ?\gh full gr[n at bir?1 z ?\gh ea* "o ( !m _h n a hi/ory ( its own4 ,above all1 we are too apt to ignore ! *ildi% elem5t1 s to speak1 lat5t 9 mo/ ( our joyful emotions4 ,& yet1 h[ _m ( our pres5t pleasures1 7 we to exam9e !m closely1 w\ld %r9k into no?+ m ?an memories ( pa/ ones6 ,:at w\ld !re be left ( _m ( our emotions 7 we to r$uce !m to ! exact quantum ( pure feel+ !y conta91 by subtract+ f !m all t is m]ely rem9isc5ce8 ,inde$1 x seems possible t1 aft] a c]ta9 age1 we become imp]vi\s to all fre% or novel =ms ( joy1 & ! sweete/ pleasures ( ! middle-ag$ man are p]haps no?+ m ?an a revival ( ! s5sations ( *ildhood1 a balmy zephyr waft$ 9 fa9t] & fa9t] brea?s by a pa/ t is ev] rec$+4 ,9 any case1 :atev] reply we give to ?is broad "q1 "o ?+ is c]ta93 !re c be no break 9 cont9uity betwe5 ! *ild's delight 9 games & t ( ! gr[n-up p]son4 ,n[1 com$y is a game1 a game t imitates life4 ,& s9ce1 9 ! games ( ! *ild :5 work+ its dolls & puppets1 _m ( ! movem5ts are produc$ by /r+s1 ought we n to f9d ^? same /r+s1 some:at fray$ by we>1 reappe>+ z ! ?reads t knot toge!r ! situations 9 a com$y8 ,let u1 !n1 />t ) ! games ( a *ild1 & foll[ ! imp]ceptible process by :i*1 z he gr[s himself1 he makes 8 puppets gr[1 inspires !m ) life1 & f9ally br+s !m to an ambigu\s /ate 9 :i*1 )\t ceas+ to be puppets1 !y h yet become human be+s4 ,we ?us obta9 *>act]s ( a com$y type4 ,& ^u !m we c te/ ! tru? ( ! law ( :i* all our prec$+ analyses gave an inkl+1 a law 9 accordance ) :i* we w def9e all broadly comic situations 9 g5]al4 ,,any ,,arrangem5t ,,( ,,acts ,,& ,,ev5ts ,,is ,,comic ,,:i* ,,gives ,,u1 ,,9 ,a ,,s+le ,,comb9ation1 ,,! ,,illusion ,,( ,,life ,,& ,,! ,,di/9ct ,,impression ,,( ,a ,,me*anical ,,arrangem5t4 #a4 ,,! ,,jack-,,9-,,!-,,box4--,z *ildr5 we h all play$ ) ! little man :o spr+s out ( 8 box4 ,y squeeze him flat1 he jumps up aga94 ,pu% him l[]1 & he %oots up /ill high]4 ,cru% him d[n b5ea? ! lid1 & (t5 he w s5d ev]y?+ fly+4 ,x is h>d to tell :e!r or no ! toy itself is v anci5t1 b ! k9d ( amusem5t x af=ds belongs to all "t4 ,x is a /ruggle betwe5 two /ubborn elem5ts1 "o ( :i*1 be+ simply me*anical1 g5]ally ends by giv+ 9 to ! o!r1 :i* treats x z a play?+4 ,a cat play+ ) a m\se1 :i* f "t to "t %e releases l a spr+1 only to pull x up %ort ) a /roke ( h] paw1 indulges 9 ! same k9d ( amusem5t4 ,we w n[ pass on to ! !atre1 beg9n+ ) a ,pun* & ,judy %[4 ,no soon] does ! policeman put 9 an appe>ance on ! /age ?an1 naturally en\gh1 he receives a bl[ :i* fells him4 ,he spr+s to 8 feet1 a second bl[ lays him flat4 ,a repetition ( ! (f5ce is foll[$ by a repetition ( ! puni%m5t4 ,up & d[n ! con/able flops & hops ) ! uni=m rhy?m ( ! b5d+ & release ( a spr+1 :il/ ! spectators laugh l\d] & l\d]4 ,n[1 let u ?9k ( a spr+ t is r ( a moral type1 an idea t is fir/ express$1 !n repress$1 & !n express$ aga92 a /ream ( words t bur/s =?1 is *eck$1 & keeps on />t+ afre%4 ,once m we h ! vision ( "o /ubborn =ce1 c\nt]act$ by ano!r1 equally p]t9aci\s4 ,?is vision1 h[ev]1 w h disc>d$ a portion ( its mat]iality4 ,no long] is x ,pun* & ,judy t we are wat*+1 b r a real com$y4 ,_m a comic sc5e may inde$ be ref]r$ to ?is simple type4 ,= in/ance1 9 ! sc5e ( ! ,m>iage =ce betwe5 ,sgan>elle & ,pancrace1 ! entire vis comica lies 9 ! conflict set up betwe5 ! idea ( ,sgan>elle1 :o wi%es to make ! philosoph] li/5 to him1 & ! ob/9acy ( ! philosoph]1 a regul> talk+-ma*9e work+ automatically4 ,z ! sc5e progresses1 ! image ( ! ,jack-9-!-box becomes m app>5t1 s t at la/ ! *>act]s !mselves adopt its movem5ts1--,sgan>elle pu%+ ,pancrace1 ea* "t he %[s himself1 back into ! w+s1 ,pancrace return+ to ! /age aft] ea* repulse to cont9ue 8 patt]4 ,& :5 ,sgan>elle f9ally drives ,pancrace back & %uts him up inside ! h\se--inside ! box1 "o is tempt$ to say--a w9d[ sudd5ly flies op51 & ! head ( ! philosoph] aga9 appe>s z ?\gh x _h bur/ op5 ! lid ( a box4 ,! same by-play occurs 9 ! ,malade ,imag9aire4 ,?r\gh ! m\? ( ,monsieur ,purgon ! outrag$ m$ical pr(ession p\rs out its vials ( wra? ^u ,argan1 ?reat5+ him ) e disease t fle% is heir to4 ,& e "t ,argan rises f 8 seat1 z ?\gh to sil5ce ,purgon1 ! latt] disappe>s = a mom5t1 be+1 z x 71 ?ru/ back into ! w+s2 !n1 z ?\gh ,impell$ by a spr+1 he reb\nds on to ! /age ) a fre% curse on 8 lips4 ,! self-same exclamation3 ,monsieur ,purgon6 recurs at regul> beats1 &1 z x 71 m>ks ! ,,tempo ( ?is little sc5e4 ,let u scrut9ise m closely ! image ( ! spr+ :i* is b5t1 releas$1 & b5t aga94 ,let u dis5tangle its c5tral elem5t1 & we %all hit ^u "o ( ! usual processes ( classic com$y1--,,repetition4 ,:y is x !re is some?+ comic 9 ! repetition ( a ^w on ! /age8 ,no !ory ( ! ludicr\s seems to (f] a satisfactory answ] to ?is v simple "q4 ,nor c an answ] be f\nd s long z we look = ! explanation ( an amus+ ^w or phrase 9 ! phrase or ^w itself1 ap>t f all x sugge/s to u4 ,n[h]e w ! usual me?od prove to be s inadequate z "h4 ,) ! exception1 h[ev]1 ( a few special in/ances to :i* we %all recur lat]1 ! repetition ( a ^w is nev] laughable 9 itself4 ,x makes u laugh only because x symbolises a special play ( moral elem5ts1 ?is play itself be+ ! symbol ( an altoge!r mat]ial div]sion4 ,x is ! div]sion ( ! cat ) ! m\se1 ! div]sion ( ! *ild pu%+ back ! ,jack-9-!-box1 "t aft] "t1 to ! bottom ( 8 box1--b 9 a ref9$ & spiritualis$ =m1 transf]r$ to ! realm ( feel+s & ideas4 ,let u !n /ate ! law :i*1 we ?9k1 def9es ! ma9 comic v>ieties ( ^w-repetition on ! /age3 ,,9 ,a ,,comic ,,repetition ,,( ,,words ,,we ,,g5]ally ,,f9d ,,two ,,t]ms3 ,a ,,repress$ ,,feel+ ,,:i* ,,goes ,,(f ,,l ,a ,,spr+1 ,,& ,,an ,,idea ,,t ,,delights ,,9 ,,repress+ ,,! ,,feel+ ,,anew4 ,:5 ,dor9e is tell+ ,orgon ( 8 wife's illness1 & ! latt] cont9ually int]rupts him ) inquiries z to ! heal? ( ,t>tuffe1 ! "q3 ,et t>tuffe8 repeat$ e few mom5ts1 af=ds u ! di/9ct s5sation ( a spr+ be+ releas$4 ,?is spr+ ,dor9e delights 9 pu%+ back1 ea* "t %e resumes h] acc\nt ( ,elmire's illness4 ,& :5 ,scap9 in=ms old ,g]onte t 8 son has be5 tak5 prison] on ! fam\s galley1 & t a ransom mu/ be paid )\t delay1 he is play+ ) ! av>ice ( ,g]onte exactly z ,dor9e does ) ! infatuation ( ,orgon4 ,! old man's av>ice is no soon] repress$ ?an up x spr+s aga9 automatically1 & x is ?is automatism t ,moli]e tries to indicate by ! me*anical repetition ( a s5t5ce express+ regret at ! money t w\ld h to be =?com+3 ,:at ! deuce did he want 9 t galley8 ,! same criticism is applicable to ! sc5e 9 :i* ,val]e po9ts out to ,h>pagon ! wrong he w\ld be do+ 9 m>ry+ 8 daught] to a man %e did n love4 ,no d[ry want$6 int]rupts ! mis]ly ,h>pagon e few mom5ts4 ,beh9d ?is exclamation1 :i* recurs automatically1 we fa9tly disc]n a complete repeat+-ma*9e set go+ by a fix$ idea4 ,at times ?is me*anism is less easy to detect1 & "h we enc\nt] a fre% difficulty 9 ! !ory ( ! comic4 ,sometimes ! :ole int]e/ ( a sc5e lies 9 "o "* play+ a d\ble "p1 ! int]v5+ speak] act+ z a m]e prism1 s to speak1 ?r\gh :i* ! dual p]sonality is develop$4 ,we run ! risk1 !n1 ( go+ a/ray if we look = ! secret ( ! effect 9 :at we see & he>1--9 ! ext]nal sc5e play$ by ! *>act]s1--& n 9 ! altoge!r inn] com$y ( :i* ?is sc5e is no m ?an ! out] refraction4 ,= in/ance1 :5 ,alce/e /ubbornly repeats ! words1 ,i don't say t6 on ,oronte ask+ him if he ?9ks 8 poetry bad1 ! repetition is laughable1 ?\gh evid5tly ,oronte is n n[ play+ ) ,alce/e at ! game we h j describ$4 ,we mu/ be c>eful1 h[ev]1 =1 9 reality1 we h two m5 9 ,alce/e3 on ! "o h&1 ! misan?ropi/ :o has v[$ h5ce=? to call a spade a spade1 & on ! o!r ! g5tleman :o _c unle>n1 9 a trice1 ! usual =ms ( polit5ess1 or ev51 x may be1 j ! hone/ fell[ :o1 :5 call$ ^u to put 8 words into practice1 %r9ks f w\nd+ ano!r's self-e/eem or hurt+ 8 feel+s4 ,accord+ly1 ! real sc5e is n betwe5 ,alce/e & ,oronte1 x is betwe5 ,alce/e & himself4 ,! "o ,alce/e w\ld fa9 blurt out ! tru?1 & ! o!r /ops 8 m\? j z he is on ! po9t ( tell+ ev]y?+4 ,ea* ,i don't say t6 reveals a gr[+ ef=t to repress some?+ t /rives & /ruggles to get out4 ,& s ! tone 9 :i* ! phrase is utt]$ gets m & m viol5t1 ,alce/e becom+ m & m angry--n ) ,oronte1 z he ?9ks--b ) himself4 ,! t5sion ( ! spr+ is cont9ually be+ r5ew$ & re9=c$ until x at la/ goes (f ) a bang4 ,"h1 z else:]e1 we h ! same id5tical me*anism ( repetition4 ,= a man to make a resolution nev] h5ce=? to say :at he does n ?9k1 ev5 ?\gh he op5ly defy ! :ole human race1 is n necess>ily laughable2 x is only a phase ( life at its highe/ & be/4 ,= ano!r man1 ?r\gh amiability1 selfi%ness1 or disda91 to pref] to flatt] p is only ano!r phase ( life2 !re is no?+ 9 x to make u laugh4 ,y may ev5 comb9e ^! two m5 into "o1 & arrange t ! individual wav] betwe5 (f5sive frankness & delusive polit5ess1 ?is duel betwe5 two oppos+ feel+s w n ev5 !n be comic1 r x w appe> ! ess5ce ( s]i\sness if ^! two feel+s ?r\gh _! v di/9ctness complete ea* o!r1 develop side by side1 & make up betwe5 !m a composite m5tal condition1 adopt+1 9 %ort1 a modus viv5di :i* m]ely gives u ! complex impression ( life4 ,b imag9e ^! two feel+s z ,,inela/ic & unv>y+ elem5ts 9 a really liv+ man1 make him oscillate f "o to ! o!r2 above all1 arrange t ?is oscillation becomes entirely me*anical by adopt+ ! well-kn[n =m ( "s habitual1 simple1 *ildi% contrivance3 !n y w get ! image we h s f> f\nd 9 all laughable objects1 ,,some?+ ,,me*anical ,,9 ,,some?+ ,,liv+2 9 fact1 some?+ comic4 ,we h dwelt on ?is fir/ image1 ! ,jack-9-!-box1 suffici5tly to %[ h[ comic fancy gradually conv]ts a mat]ial me*anism into a moral "o4 ,n[ we w consid] "o or two o!r games1 conf9+ ourselves to _! mo/ /rik+ aspects4 #b4 ,,! ,,danc+-,,jack4--,!re are innum]able com$ies 9 :i* "o ( ! *>act]s ?9ks he is speak+ & act+ freely1 &1 consequ5tly1 reta9s all ! ess5tials ( life1 :]eas1 view$ f a c]ta9 /&po9t1 he appe>s z a m]e toy 9 ! h&s ( ano!r :o is play+ ) him4 ,! transition is easily made1 f ! danc+-jack :i* a *ild works ) a /r+1 to ,g]onte & ,argante manipulat$ by ,scap94 ,li/5 to ,scap9 himself3 ,! ,,ma*9e is all !re2 & aga93 ,provid5ce has br\ght !m into my net1 etc4 ,in/9ctively1 & because "o w\ld r be a *eat ?an be *eat$1 9 imag9ation at all ev5ts1 ! spectator sides ) ! knaves2 & = ! re/ ( ! "t1 l a *ild :o has p]suad$ 8 playmate to l5d him 8 doll1 he takes hold ( ! /r+s himself & makes ! m>ionette come & g on ! /age z he pleases4 ,b ?is latt] condition is n indisp5sable2 we c rema9 outside ! pale ( :at is tak+ place if only we reta9 ! di/9ct impression ( a me*anical arrangem5t4 ,?is is :at happ5s :5ev] "o ( ! *>act]s vacillates betwe5 two contr>y op9ions1 ea* 9 turn appeal+ to him1 z :5 ,panurge asks ,tom1 ,dick1 & ,h>ry :e!r or no he ought to get m>ri$4 ,note t1 9 su* a case1 a comic au?or is always c>eful to ,,p]sonify ! two oppos+ decisions4 ,=1 if !re is no spectator1 !re mu/ at all ev5ts be actors to hold ! /r+s4 ,all t is s]i\s 9 life comes f our fre$om4 ,! feel+s we h matur$1 ! passions we h brood$ ov]1 ! actions we h weigh$1 decid$ ^u1 & c>ri$ ?r\gh1 9 %ort1 all t comes f u & is our v own1 ^! are ! ?+s t give life its (ttimes dramatic & g5]ally grave aspect4 ,:at1 !n1 is requisite to trans=m all ?is into a com$y8 ,m]ely to fancy t our seem+1 fre$om conceals ! /r+s ( a danc+-,jack1 & t we are1 z ! poet says1 444 humble m>ionettes ,! wires ( :i* are pull$ by ,fate4 ,footnote3 444 d'humbles m>ionnettes ,dont le fil e/ aux ma9s de la ,necessite4 ,,sully-,,prudhomme4 ,s !re is n a real1 a s]i\s1 or ev5 a dramatic sc5e t fancy _c r5d] comic by simply call+ =? ?is image4 ,nor is !re a game = :i* a wid] field lies op54 #c4 ,,! ,,sn[-,,ball4--,! f>!r we proce$ 9 ?is inve/igation into ! me?ods ( com$y1 ! m cle>ly we see ! "p play$ by *ildhood's memories4 ,^! memories ref]1 p]haps1 less to any special game ?an to ! me*anical device ( :i* t game is a p>ticul> in/ance4 ,! same g5]al device1 moreov]1 may be met ) 9 widely diff]5t games1 j z ! same op]atic air is f\nd 9 _m diff]5t arrangem5ts & v>iations4 ,:at is "h ( importance & is reta9$ 9 ! m9d1 :at passes by imp]ceptible /ages f ! games ( a *ild to ^? ( a man1 is ! m5tal diagram1 ! skeleton outl9e ( ! comb9ation1 or1 if y l1 ! ab/ract =mula ( :i* ^! games are p>ticul> illu/rations4 ,take1 = in/ance1 ! roll+ sn[-ball1 :i* increases 9 size z x moves along4 ,we might j z well ?9k ( toy soldi]s /&+ beh9d "o ano!r4 ,pu% ! fir/ & x tumbles d[n on ! second1 ?is latt] knocks d[n ! ?ird1 & ! /ate ( ?+s goes f bad to worse until !y all lie prone on ! floor4 ,or aga91 take a h\se ( c>ds t has be5 built up ) inf9ite c>e3 ! fir/ y t\* seems unc]ta9 :e!r to move or n1 its tott]+ neighb\r comes to a quick] decision1 & ! "w ( de/ruction1 ga!r+ mom5tum z x goes on1 ru%es headlong to ! f9al collapse4 ,^! in/ances are all diff]5t1 b !y sugge/ ! same ab/ract vision1 t ( an effect :i* gr[s by ari?metical progression1 s t ! cause1 insignificant at ! outset1 culm9ates by a necess>y evolution 9 a result z important z x is unexpect$4 ,n[ let u op5 a *ildr5's picture-book2 we %all f9d ?is arrangem5t already on ! high road to becom+ comic4 ,"h1 = in/ance--9 "o ( ! comic *ap-books pick$ up by *ance--we h a call] ru%+ viol5tly into a draw+-room2 he knocks aga9/ a lady1 :o upsets h] cup ( tea ov] an old g5tleman1 :o slips aga9/ a glass w9d[ :i* falls 9 ! /reet on to ! head ( a con/able1 :o sets ! :ole police =ce agog1 etc4 ,! same arrangem5t reappe>s 9 _m a picture int5d$ = gr[nup p]sons4 ,9 ! /ories )\t words sket*$ by humor\s arti/s we are (t5 %[n an object :i* moves f place to place1 & p]sons :o are closely connect$ ) x1 s t ?r\gh a s]ies ( sc5es a *ange 9 ! position ( ! object me*anically br+s ab\t increas+ly s]i\s *anges 9 ! situation ( ! p]sons4 ,let u n[ turn to com$y4 ,_m a droll sc5e1 _m a com$y ev51 may be ref]r$ to ?is simple type4 ,read ! spee* ( ,*icanneau 9 ! ,plaideurs3 "h we f9d lawsuits )9 lawsuits1 & ! me*anism works fa/] & fa/]--,rac9e produces 9 u ?is feel+ ( increas+ accel]ation by cr[d+ 8 law t]ms ev] clos] toge!r--until ! lawsuit ov] a truss ( hay co/s ! pla9tiff ! be/ "p ( 8 =tune4 ,& aga9 ! same arrangem5t occurs 9 c]ta9 sc5es ( ,don ,quixote2 = in/ance1 9 ! inn sc5e1 :]e1 by an extraord9>y concat5ation ( circum/ances1 ! mule-driv] /rikes ,san*o1 :o belab\rs ,m>itornes1 ^u :om ! innkeep] falls1 etc4 ,f9ally1 let u pass to ! light com$y ( to-day4 ,ne$ we call to m9d all ! =ms 9 :i* ?is same comb9ation appe>s8 ,!re is "o t is employ$ r frequ5tly4 ,= in/ance1 a c]ta9 ?+1 say a lett]1 happ5s to be ( supreme importance to a c]ta9 p]son & mu/ be recov]$ at all co/s4 ,?is ?+1 :i* always vani%es j :5 y ?9k y h caught x1 p]vades ! entire play1 roll+ up increas+ly s]i\s & unexpect$ incid5ts z x proce$s4 ,all ?is is f> m l a *ild's game ?an appe>s at fir/ blu%4 ,once m ! effect produc$ is t ( ! sn[ball4 ,x is ! *>act]i/ic ( a me*anical comb9ation to be g5]ally ,,rev]sible4 ,a *ild is delight$ :5 he sees ! ball 9 a game ( n9ep9s knock+ d[n ev]y?+ 9 its way & spread+ havoc 9 all directions2 he laughs l\d] ?an ev] :5 ! ball returns to its />t+-po9t aft] twi/s & turns & wav]+s ( e k9d4 ,9 o!r words1 ! me*anism j describ$ is laughable ev5 :5 rectil9e>1 x is mu* m s on becom+ circul> & :5 e ef=t ! play] makes1 by a fatal int]action ( cause & effect1 m]ely results 9 br++ x back to ! same spot4 ,n[1 a consid]able numb] ( light com$ies revolve r\nd ?is idea4 ,an ,italian /raw hat has be5 eat5 up by a horse4 ,footnote3 ,un ,*apeau de paille d',italie 7,labi*e74 ,!re is only "o o!r hat l x 9 ! :ole ( ,p>is2 x ,,mu/ be secur$ reg>dless ( co/4 ,?is hat1 :i* always slips away at ! mom5t its capture seems inevitable1 keeps ! pr9cipal "* on ! run1 & ?r\gh him all ! o!rs :o hang1 s to say1 on to 8 coat tails1 l a magnet :i*1 by a successive s]ies ( attractions1 draws along 9 its tra9 ! gra9s ( iron fil+s t hang on to ea* o!r4 ,& :5 at la/1 aft] all sorts ( difficulties1 ! goal seems 9 sight1 x is f\nd t ! hat s ard5tly s\ght is precisely ! "o t has be5 eat54 ,! same voyage ( discov]y is depict$ 9 ano!r equally well-kn[n com$y ( ,labi*e4 ,footnote3 ,la ,cagnotte4 ,! curta9 rises on an old ba*elor & an old maid1 acqua9tances ( long /&+1 at ! mom5t ( enjoy+ _! daily rubb]4 ,ea* ( !m1 unkn[n to ! o!r1 has appli$ to ! same matrimonial ag5cy4 ,?r\gh innum]able difficulties1 "o mi%ap foll[+ on ! heels ( ano!r1 !y hurry along1 side by side1 "r ?r\gh ! play1 to ! int]view :i* br+s !m back1 purely & simply1 into ea* o!r's pres5ce4 ,we h ! same circul> effect1 ! same return to ! />t+-po9t1 9 a m rec5t play4 ,footnote3 ,les ,surprises du divorce4 ,a h5peck$ husb& imag9es he has escap$ by divorce f ! clut*es ( 8 wife & 8 "m-9-law4 ,he m>ries aga91 :51 lo & behold1 ! d\ble comb9ation ( m>riage & divorce br+s back to him 8 =m] wife 9 ! aggravat$ =m ( a second "m-9-law6 ,:5 we ?9k h[ int5se & h[ common is ?is type ( ! comic1 we und]/& :y x has fasc9at$ ! imag9ation ( c]ta9 philosoph]s4 ,to cov] a good deal ( gr\nd only to come back unwitt+ly to ! />t+-po9t1 is to make a great ef=t = a result t is nil4 ,s we might be tempt$ to def9e ! comic 9 ?is latt] fa%ion4 ,& su*1 inde$1 seems to be ! idea ( ,h]b]t ,sp5c]3 accord+ to him1 laught] is ! indication ( an ef=t :i* sudd5ly enc\nt]s a void4 ,kant _h already said some?+ ( ! k9d3 ,laught] is ! result ( an expectation1 :i*1 ( a sudd51 ends 9 no?+4 ,no d\bt ^! def9itions w\ld apply to ! la/ few examples giv51 al?\gh1 ev5 !n1 ! =mula ne$s ! addition ( sundry limitations1 = we (t5 make an ineffectual ef=t :i* is 9 no way provocative ( laught]4 ,:ile1 h[ev]1 ! la/ few examples are illu/rations ( a great cause result+ 9 a small effect1 we quot$ o!rs1 imm$iately be=e1 :i* might be def9$ inv]sely z a great effect spr++ f a small cause4 ,! tru? is1 ?is second def9ition has sc>cely m validity ?an ! fir/4 ,lack ( proportion betwe5 cause & effect1 :e!r appe>+ 9 "o or 9 ! o!r1 is nev] ! direct s\rce ( laught]4 ,:at we d laugh at is some?+ t ?is lack ( proportion may 9 c]ta9 cases disclose1 namely1 a p>ticul> me*anical arrangem5t :i* x reveals to u1 z ?r\gh a glass1 at ! back ( ! s]ies ( effects & causes4 ,disreg>d ?is arrangem5t1 & y let g ! only clue capable ( guid+ y ?r\gh ! labyr9? ( ! comic4 ,any hypo!sis y o!rwise w\ld select1 :ile possibly applicable to a few c>efully *os5 cases1 is liable at any mom5t to be met & ov]?r[n by ! fir/ unsuitable in/ance t comes along4 ,b :y is x we laugh at ?is me*anical arrangem5t8 ,x is d\btless /range t ! hi/ory ( a p]son or ( a gr\p %\ld sometimes appe> l a game work$ by /r+s1 or ge>+s1 or spr+s2 b f :at s\rce does ! special "* ( ?is /rang5ess arise8 ,:at is x t makes x laughable8 ,to ?is "q1 :i* we h already prop\nd$ 9 v>i\s =ms1 our answ] mu/ always be ! same4 ,! rigid me*anism :i* we occasionally detect1 z a =eign body1 9 ! liv+ cont9uity ( human affairs is ( peculi> int]e/ to u z be+ a k9d ( ,,abs5tm9d$ness on ! "p ( life4 ,7 ev5ts unceas+ly m9dful ( _! own c\rse1 !re w\ld be no co9cid5ces1 no conjunctures & no circul> s]ies2 ev]y?+ w\ld evolve & progress cont9u\sly4 ,& 7 all m5 always att5tive to life1 7 we con/antly keep+ 9 t\* ) o!rs z well z ) ourselves1 no?+ )9 u w\ld ev] appe> z due to ! work+ ( /r+s or spr+s4 ,! comic is t side ( a p]son :i* reveals 8 lik5ess to a ?+1 t aspect ( human ev5ts :i*1 ?r\gh its peculi> inela/icity1 conveys ! impression ( pure me*anism1 ( automatism1 ( movem5t )\t life4 ,consequ5tly x expresses an individual or collective imp]fection :i* calls = an imm$iate corrective4 ,?is corrective is laught]1 a social ge/ure t s+les out & represses a special k9d ( abs5tm9d$ness 9 m5 & 9 ev5ts4 ,b ?is 9 turn tempts u to make fur!r inve/igations4 ,s f>1 we h sp5t our "t 9 r$iscov]+1 9 ! div]sions ( ! gr[nup man1 ^? me*anical comb9ations :i* amus$ him z a *ild4 ,our me?ods1 9 fact1 h be5 entirely empirical4 ,let u n[ attempt to frame a full & me?odical !ory1 by seek+1 z x 71 at ! f\nta9head1 ! *angeless & simple ar*etypes ( ! manifold & transi5t practices ( ! comic /age4 ,com$y1 we said1 comb9es ev5ts s z to introduce me*anism into ! out] =ms ( life4 ,let u n[ asc]ta9 9 :at ess5tial *>act]i/ics life1 :5 view$ f )\t1 seems to contra/ ) m]e me*anism4 ,we %all only h1 !n1 to turn to ! opposite *>act]i/ics1 9 ord] to discov] ! ab/ract =mula1 ?is "t a g5]al & complete "o1 = e real & possible me?od ( com$y4 ,life pres5ts itself to u z evolution 9 "t & complexity 9 space4 ,reg>d$ 9 "t1 x is ! cont9u\s evolution ( a be+ ev] gr[+ old]2 x nev] goes backw>ds & nev] repeats any?+4 ,consid]$ 9 space1 x exhibits c]ta9 coexi/+ elem5ts s closely int]dep5d5t1 s exclusively made = "o ano!r1 t n "o ( !m c\ld1 at ! same "t1 belong to two diff]5t organisms3 ea* liv+ be+ is a clos$ sy/em ( ph5om5a1 incapable ( int]f]+ ) o!r sy/ems4 ,a cont9ual *ange ( aspect1 ! irrev]sibility ( ! ord] ( ph5om5a1 ! p]fect individuality ( a p]fectly self-conta9$ s]ies3 su*1 !n1 are ! outw>d *>act]i/ics--:e!r real or app>5t is ( little mom5t--:i* di/+ui% ! liv+ f ! m]ely me*anical4 ,let u take ! c\nt]p>t ( ea* ( ^!3 we %all obta9 ?ree processes :i* might be call$ ,,repetition1 ,,inv]sion1 & ,,reciprocal ,,int]f]5ce ,,( ,,s]ies4 ,n[1 x is easy to see t ^! are also ! me?ods ( light com$y1 & t no o!rs are possible4 ,z a matt] ( fact1 we c\ld discov] !m1 z +r$i5ts ( v>y+ importance1 9 ! composition ( all ! sc5es we h j be5 consid]+1 &1 a =tiori1 9 ! *ildr5's games1 ! me*anism ( :i* !y reproduce4 ,! requisite analysis w\ld1 h[ev]1 delay u too long1 & x is m pr(itable to /udy !m 9 _! purity by tak+ fre% examples4 ,no?+ c\ld be easi]1 = x is 9 _! pure /ate t !y are f\nd bo? 9 classic com$y & 9 contempor>y plays4 #a4 ,,repetition4-,our pres5t problem no long] deals1 l ! prec$+ "o1 ) a ^w or a s5t5ce repeat$ by an individual1 b r ) a situation1 t is1 a comb9ation ( circum/ances1 :i* recurs sev]al times 9 its orig9al =m & ?us contra/s ) ! *ang+ /ream ( life4 ,ev]yday exp]i5ce supplies u ) ?is type ( ! comic1 ?\gh only 9 a rudim5t>y /ate4 ,?us1 y meet a fri5d 9 ! /reet :om y h n se5 = an age2 !re is no?+ comic 9 ! situation4 ,if1 h[ev]1 y meet1 him aga9 ! same day1 & !n a ?ird & a f\r? "t1 y may laugh at ! co9cid5ce4 ,n[1 picture to y\rself a s]ies ( imag9>y ev5ts :i* af=ds a tol]ably fair illusion ( life1 & )9 ?is ev]-mov+ s]ies imag9e "o & ! same sc5e reproduc$ ei!r by ! same *>act]s or by diff]5t ones3 aga9 y w h a co9cid5ce1 ?\gh a f> m extraord9>y "o4 ,su* are ! repetitions produc$ on ! /age4 ,!y are ! m laughable 9 proportion z ! sc5e repeat$ is m complex & m naturally introduc$--two conditions :i* seem mutually exclusive1 & :i* ! play-writ] mu/ be clev] en\gh to reconcile4 ,contempor>y light com$y employs ?is me?od 9 e %ape & =m4 ,"o ( ! be/-kn[n examples consi/s 9 br++ a gr\p ( *>act]s1 act aft] act1 into ! mo/ v>i$ surr\nd+s1 s z to reproduce1 "u ev] fre% circum/ances1 "o & ! same s]ies ( incid5ts or accid5ts m or less symmetrically id5tical4 ,9 sev]al ( ,moli]e's plays we f9d "o & ! same arrangem5t ( ev5ts repeat$ "r ?r\gh ! com$y f beg9n+ to end4 ,?us1 ! ,ecole des femmes does no?+ m ?an reproduce & repeat a s+le incid5t 9 ?ree tempi3 fir/ tempo1 ,horace tells ,arnolphe ( ! plan he has devis$ to deceive ,agnes's gu>dian1 :o turns out to be ,arnolphe himself2 second tempo1 ,arnolphe ?9ks he has *eckmat$ ! move2 ?ird tempo1 ,agnes contrives t ,horace gets all ! b5efit ( ,arnolphe's precaution>y measures4 ,!re is ! same symmetrical repetition 9 ! ,ecole des m>ts1 9 ,l',et\rdi1 & above all 9 ,george ,d&91 :]e ! same effect 9 ?ree tempi is aga9 met )3 fir/ tempo1 ,george ,d&9 discov]s t 8 wife is unfai?ful2 second tempo1 he summons 8 fa!r--& "m-9-law to 8 assi/ance2 ?ird tempo1 x is ,george ,d&9 himself1 aft] all1 :o has to apologise4 ,at times ! same sc5e is reproduc$ ) gr\ps ( diff]5t *>act]s4 ,!n x n infrequ5tly happ5s t ! fir/ gr\p consi/s ( ma/]s & ! second ( s]vants4 ,! latt] repeat 9 ano!r key a sc5e already play$ by ! =m]1 ?\gh ! r5d]+ is naturally less ref9$4 ,a "p ( ! ,depit am\reux is con/ruct$ on ?is plan1 z is also ,amphitryon4 ,9 an amus+ little com$y ( ,b5$ix1 ,d] ,eig5s9n1 ! ord] is inv]t$3 we h ! ma/]s reproduc+ a sc5e ( /ubbornness 9 :i* _! s]vants h set ! example4 ,b1 q irrespective ( ! *>act]s :o s]ve z pegs = ! arrangem5t ( symmetrical situations1 !re seems to be a wide gulf betwe5 classic com$y & ! !atre ( to-day4 ,bo? aim at introduc+ a c]ta9 ma!matical ord] into ev5ts1 :ile none ! less ma9ta9+ _! aspect ( likelihood1 t is to say1 ( life4 ,b ! means !y employ are diff]5t4 ,! majority ( light com$ies ( our day seek to mesm]ise directly ! m9d ( ! spectator4 ,=1 h[ev] extraord9>y ! co9cid5ce1 x becomes acceptable f ! v fact t x is accept$2 & we d accept x1 if we h be5 gradually prep>$ = its reception4 ,su* is (t5 ! proc$ure adopt$ by contempor>y au?ors4 ,9 ,moli]e's plays1 on ! contr>y1 x is ! moods ( ! p]sons on ! /age1 n ( ! audi5ce1 t make repetition seem natural4 ,ea* ( ! *>act]s repres5ts a c]ta9 =ce appli$ 9 a c]ta9 direction1 & x is because ^! =ces1 con/ant 9 direction1 necess>ily comb9e toge!r 9 ! same way1 t ! same situation is reproduc$4 ,?us int]pret$1 ! com$y ( situation is ak9 to ! com$y ( "*4 ,x des]ves to be call$ classic1 if classic art is inde$ t :i* does n claim to d]ive f ! effect m ?an x has put into ! cause4 #b4 ,inv]sion4--,?is second me?od has s mu* analogy ) ! fir/ t we w m]ely def9e x )\t insi/+ on illu/rations4 ,picture to y\rself c]ta9 *>act]s 9 a c]ta9 situation3 if y rev]se ! situation & inv]t ! roles1 y obta9 a comic sc5e4 ,! d\ble rescue sc5e 9 ,le ,voyage de ,m4 ,p]ri*on belongs to ?is class4 ,footnote3 ,labi*e1 ,le ,voyage de ,m4 ,p]ri*on4 ,!re is no necessity1 h[ev]1 = bo? ! id5tical sc5es to be play$ be=e u4 ,we may be %[n only "o1 provid$ ! o!r is really 9 our m9ds4 ,?us1 we laugh at ! prison] at ! b> lectur+ ! magi/rate2 at a *ild presum+ to tea* its p>5ts2 9 a ^w1 at ev]y?+ t comes "u ! head+ ( topsyturvydom4 ,n infrequ5tly com$y sets be=e u a "* :o lays a trap 9 :i* he is ! fir/ to be caught4 ,! plot ( ! villa9 :o is ! victim ( 8 own villa9y1 or ! *eat *eat$1 =ms ! /ock-9-trade ( a good _m plays4 ,we f9d ?is ev5 9 primitive f>ce4 ,lawy] ,pa!l9 tells 8 cli5t ( a trick to outwit ! magi/rate2 ! cli5t employs ! self-same trick to avoid pay+ ! lawy]4 ,a t]magant ( a wife insi/s ^u h] husb& do+ all ! h\sework2 %e has put d[n ea* sep>ate item on a rota4 ,n[ let h] fall into a copp]1 h] husb& w refuse to drag h] out1 = t is n d[n on 8 'rota4' ,9 mod]n lit]ature we meet ) hundr$s ( v>iations on ! !me ( ! robb] robb$4 ,9 e case ! root idea involves an inv]sion ( roles1 & a situation :i* recoils on ! head ( its au?or4 ,"h we app>5tly f9d ! confirmation ( a law1 "s illu/rations ( :i* we h already po9t$ out4 ,:5 a comic sc5e has be5 reproduc$ a numb] ( times1 x rea*es ! /age ( be+ a classical type or model4 ,x becomes amus+ 9 itself1 q ap>t f ! causes :i* r5d] x amus+4 ,h5ce=?1 new sc5es1 :i* are n comic de jure1 may become amus+ de facto1 on acc\nt ( _! p>tial resemblance to ?is model4 ,!y call up 9 our m9d a m or less confus$ image :i* we "k to be comical4 ,!y range !mselves 9 a category repres5t+ an (ficially recognis$ type ( ! comic4 ,! sc5e ( ! robb] robb$ belongs to ?is class4 ,x ca/s ov] a ho/ ( o!r sc5es a reflection ( ! comic elem5t x conta9s4 ,9 ! end x r5d]s comic any mi%ap t befalls "o ?r\gh "o's own fault1 no matt] :at ! fault or mi%ap may be1--nay1 an allusion to ?is mi%ap1 a s+le ^w t recalls x1 is suffici5t4 ,!re w\ld be no?+ amus+ 9 ! say+1 ,x s]ves y "r1 ,george ,d&91 7 x n = ! comic ov]tones t take up & re-e*o x4 #c4 ,we h dwelt at consid]able l5g? on repetition & inv]sion2 we n[ come to ! reciprocal int]f]5ce ,footnote3 ,! ^w int]f]5ce has "h ! mean+ giv5 to x 9 ,optics1 :]e x indicates ! p>tial sup]position & neutralisation1 by ea* o!r1 ( two s]ies ( light-waves4 ( s]ies4 ,?is is a comic effect1 ! precise =mula ( :i* is v difficult to dis5tangle1 by reason ( ! extraord9>y v>iety ( =ms 9 :i* x appe>s on ! /age4 ,p]haps x might be def9$ z foll[s3 ,a situation is inv>iably comic :5 x belongs simultane\sly to two altoge!r indep5d5t s]ies ( ev5ts & is capable ( be+ int]pret$ 9 two entirely diff]5t mean+s at ! same "t4 ,y w at once ?9k ( an equivocal situation4 ,& ! equivocal situation is inde$ "o :i* p]mits ( two diff]5t mean+s at ! same "t1 ! "o m]ely plausible1 :i* is put =w>d by ! actors1 ! o!r a real "o1 :i* is giv5 by ! public4 ,we see ! real mean+ ( ! situation1 because c>e has be5 tak5 to %[ u e aspect ( x2 b ea* ( ! actors kn[s only "o ( ^! aspects3 h5ce ! mi/akes !y make & ! errone\s judgm5ts !y pass bo? on :at is go+ on ar\nd !m & on :at !y are do+ !mselves4 ,we proce$ f ?is errone\s judgm5t to ! correct "o1 we wav] betwe5 ! possible mean+ & ! real1 & x is ?is m5tal seesaw betwe5 two contr>y int]pretations :i* is at fir/ app>5t 9 ! enjoym5t we d]ive f an equivocal situation4 ,x is natural t c]ta9 philosoph]s %\ld h be5 specially /ruck by ?is m5tal in/ability1 & t "s ( !m %\ld reg>d ! v ess5ce ( ! ludicr\s z consi/+ 9 ! collision or co9cid5ce ( two judgm5ts t contradict ea* o!r4 ,_! def9ition1 h[ev]1 is f> f meet+ e case1 & ev5 :5 x does1 x def9es--n ! pr9ciple ( ! ludicr\s1 b only "o ( its m or less di/ant consequ5ces4 ,inde$1 x is easy to see t ! /age-made misund]/&+ is no?+ b a p>ticul> in/ance ( a f> m g5]al ph5om5on1--! reciprocal int]f]5ce ( indep5d5t s]ies1 & t1 moreov]1 x is n laughable 9 itself1 b only z a sign ( su* an int]f]5ce4 ,z a matt] ( fact1 ea* ( ! *>act]s 9 e /age-made misund]/&+ has 8 sett+ 9 an appropriate s]ies ( ev5ts :i* he correctly int]prets z f> z he is conc]n$1 & :i* give ! key-note to 8 words & actions4 ,ea* ( ! s]ies peculi> to ! sev]al *>act]s develop indep5d5tly1 b at a c]ta9 mom5t !y meet "u su* conditions t ! actions & words t belong to "o might j z well belong to ano!r4 ,h5ce arise ! misund]/&+s & ! equivocal nature ( ! situation4 ,b ?is latt] is n laughable 9 itself1 x is s only because x reveals ! co9cid5ce ( ! two indep5d5t s]ies4 ,! pro( ( ?is lies 9 ! fact t ! au?or mu/ be cont9ually tax+ 8 +5uity to recall our att5tion to ! d\ble fact ( indep5d5ce & co9cid5ce4 ,?is he g5]ally succe$s 9 do+ by con/antly r5ew+ ! va9 ?reat ( dissolv+ p>tn]%ip betwe5 ! two co9cid+ s]ies4 ,e mom5t ! :ole ?+ ?reat5s to break d[n1 b manages to get pat*$ up aga92 x is ?is div]sion t excites laught]1 f> m ?an ! oscillation ( ! m9d betwe5 two contradictory ideas4 ,x makes u laugh because x reveals to u ! reciprocal int]f]5ce ( two indep5d5t s]ies1 ! real s\rce ( ! comic effect4 ,& s ! /age-made misund]/&+ is no?+ m ?an "o p>ticul> in/ance1 "o means--p]haps ! mo/ artificial--( illu/rat+ ! reciprocal int]f]5ce ( s]ies1 b x is n ! only "o4 ,in/ead ( two contempor>y s]ies1 y might take "o s]ies ( ev5ts belong+ to ! pa/ & ano!r belong+ to ! pres5t3 if ! two s]ies happ5 to co9cide 9 our imag9ation1 !re w be no result+ cross-purposes1 & yet ! same comic effect w cont9ue to take place4 ,?9k ( ,boniv>d1 captive 9 ! ,ca/le ( ,*illon3 "o s]ies ( facts4 ,n[ picture to y\rself ,t>t>91 travell+ 9 ,switz]l&1 arre/$ & imprison$3 second s]ies1 indep5d5t ( ! =m]4 ,n[ let ,t>t>9 be manacl$ to ,boniv>d's *a91 ?us mak+ ! two /ories seem = a mom5t to co9cide1 & y w get a v amus+ sc5e1 "o ( ! mo/ amus+ t ,daudet's imag9ation has pictur$4 ,t>t>9 sur les ,alpes1 by ,daudet4 ,num]\s incid5ts ( ! mock-h]oic /yle1 if analys$1 w\ld reveal ! same elem5ts4 ,! transposition f ! anci5t to ! mod]n--always a laughable "o--draws its inspiration f ! same idea4 ,labi*e has made use ( ?is me?od 9 e %ape & =m4 ,sometimes he beg9s by build+ up ! s]ies sep>ately1 & !n delights 9 mak+ !m int]f]e ) "o ano!r3 he takes an indep5d5t gr\p--a w$d+-p>ty1 = in/ance--& ?r[s !m into altoge!r unconnect$ surr\nd+s1 into :i* c]ta9 co9cid5ces all[ ( _! be+ foi/$ = ! "t be+4 ,sometimes he keeps "o & ! same set ( *>act]s "r ?r\gh ! play1 b contrives t c]ta9 ( ^! *>act]s h some?+ to conceal--h1 9 fact1 a secret und]/&+ on ! po9t--9 %ort1 play a small] com$y )9 ! pr9cipal "o3 at "o mom5t1 "o ( ! two com$ies is on ! po9t ( upsett+ ! o!r2 ! next1 ev]y?+ comes "r & ! co9cid5ce betwe5 ! two s]ies is re/or$4 ,sometimes1 ev51 he introduces into ! actual s]ies a purely immat]ial s]ies ( ev5ts1 an inconv5i5t pa/1 = in/ance1 t "s "o has an int]e/ 9 conceal+1 b :i* is cont9ually cropp+ up 9 ! pres5t1 & on ea* occasion is successfully br\ght into l9e ) situations ) :i* x seem$ de/9$ to play havoc4 ,b 9 e case we f9d ! two indep5d5t s]ies1 & also _! p>tial co9cid5ce4 ,we w n c>ry any fur!r ?is analysis ( ! me?ods ( light com$y4 ,:e!r we f9d reciprocal int]f]5ce ( s]ies1 inv]sion1 or repetition1 we see t ! objective is always ! same--to obta9 :at we h call$ a ,,me*anisation ( life4 ,y take a set ( actions & relations & repeat x z x is1 or turn x upside d[n1 or transf] x bodily to ano!r set ) :i* x p>tially co9cides--all ^! be+ processes t consi/ 9 look+ ^u life z a repeat+ me*anism1 ) rev]sible action & int]*angeable p>ts4 ,actual life is com$y j s f> z x produces1 9 a natural fa%ion1 actions ( ! same k9d1--consequ5tly1 j s f> z x =gets itself1 = 7 x always on ! al]t1 x w\ld be ev]-*ang+ cont9uity1 irrev]tible progress1 undivid$ unity4 ,& s ! ludicr\s 9 ev5ts may be def9$ z abs5tm9d$ness 9 ?+s1 j z ! ludicr\s 9 an individual "* always results f "s fundam5tal abs5tm9d$ness 9 ! p]son1 z we h already intimat$ & %all prove lat] on4 ,?is abs5tm9d$ness 9 ev5ts1 h[ev]1 is exceptional4 ,its results are slight4 ,at any rate x is incurable1 s t x is useless to laugh at x4 ,!re=e ! idea w\ld nev] h occurr$ to any "o ( exagg]at+ t abs5tm9d$ness1 ( conv]t+ x into a sy/em & creat+ an art = x1 if laught] 7 n always a pleasure & mank9d did n p\nce ^u ! slighte/ excuse = indulg+ 9 x4 ,?is is ! real explanation ( light com$y1 :i* holds ! same relation to actual life z does a jo9t$ danc+-doll to a man walk+1--be+1 z x is1 an artificial exagg]ation ( a natural rigidity 9 ?+s4 ,! ?read t b9ds x to actual life is a v fragile "o4 ,x is sc>cely m ?an a game :i*1 l all games1 dep5ds on a previ\sly accept$ conv5tion4 ,com$y 9 "* /rikes f> deep] roots into life4 ,) t k9d ( com$y we %all deal m p>ticul>ly 9 ! f9al portion ( our inve/igation4 ,b we mu/ fir/ analyse a c]ta9 type ( ! comic1 9 _m respects simil> to t ( light com$y3 ! comic 9 words4 ,,ii ,!re may be some?+ artificial 9 mak+ a special category = ! comic 9 words1 s9ce mo/ ( ! v>ieties ( ! comic t we h exam9$ s f> 7 produc$ ?r\gh ! m$ium ( language4 ,we mu/ make a di/9ction1 h[ev]1 betwe5 ! comic ,,express$ & ! comic ,,creat$ by language4 ,! =m] c\ld1 if necess>y1 be translat$ f "o language into ano!r1 ?\gh at ! co/ ( los+ ! great] portion ( its significance :5 introduc$ into a fre% society diff]5t 9 mann]s1 9 lit]ature1 & above all 9 association ( ideas4 ,b x is g5]ally impossible to translate ! latt]4 ,x owes its entire be+ to ! /ructure ( ! s5t5ce or to ! *oice ( ! words4 ,x does n set =?1 by means ( language1 special cases ( abs5tm9d$ness 9 man or 9 ev5ts4 ,x lays /ress on lapses ( att5tion 9 language itself4 ,9 ?is case1 x is language itself t becomes comic4 ,comic say+s1 h[ev]1 are n a matt] ( spontane\s g5]ation2 if we laugh at !m1 we are equally entitl$ to laugh at _! au?or4 ,?is latt] condition1 h[ev]1 is n indisp5sable1 s9ce ! say+ or expression has a comic virtue ( its own4 ,?is is prov$ by ! fact t we f9d x v difficult1 9 ! majority ( ^! cases1 to say :om we are laugh+ at1 al?\gh at times we h a dim1 vague feel+ t !re is "s "o 9 ! backgr\nd4 ,moreov]1 ! p]son implicat$ is n always ! speak]4 ,"h x seems z ?\gh we %\ld draw an important di/9ction betwe5 ! ,,witty 7,,spirituel7 & ! ,,comic4 ,a ^w is said to be comic :5 x makes u laugh at ! p]son :o utt]s x1 & witty :5 x makes u laugh ei!r at a ?ird p>ty or at ourselves4 ,b 9 mo/ cases we c h>dly make up our m9ds :e!r ! ^w is comic or witty4 ,all t we c say is t x is laughable4 ,be=e proce$+1 x might be well to exam9e m closely :at is meant by ,,esprit4 ,a witty say+ makes u at lea/ smile2 consequ5tly1 no inve/igation into laught] w\ld be complete did x n get to ! bottom ( ! nature ( wit & ?r[ light on ! und]ly+ idea4 ,x is to be fe>$1 h[ev]1 t ?is extremely subtle ess5ce is "o t evaporates :5 expos$ to ! light4 ,let u fir/ make a di/9ction betwe5 ! two mean+s ( ! ^w wit ,,esprit1 ! broad] "o & ! m re/rict$4 ,9 ! broad] mean+ ( ! ^w1 x w\ld seem t :at is call$ wit is a c]ta9 ,,dramatic way ( ?9k+4 ,in/ead ( treat+ 8 ideas z m]e symbols1 ! wit sees !m1 he he>s !m &1 above all1 makes !m conv]se ) "o ano!r l p]sons4 ,he puts !m on ! /age1 & himself1 to "s ext5t1 into ! b>ga94 ,a witty nation is1 ( necessity1 a nation enam\r$ ( ! !atre4 ,9 e wit !re is some?+ ( a poet--j z 9 e good read] !re is ! mak+ ( an actor4 ,?is comp>ison is made purposely1 because a proportion might easily be e/abli%$ betwe5 ! f\r t]ms4 ,9 ord] to read well we ne$ only ! intellectual side ( ! actor's art2 b 9 ord] to act well "o mu/ be an actor 9 all "o's s\l & body4 ,9 j ! same way1 poetic creation calls = "s degree ( self-=getfulness1 :il/ ! wit does n usually err 9 ?is respect4 ,we always get a glimpse ( ! latt] beh9d :at he says & does4 ,he is n :olly engross$ 9 ! bus9ess1 because he only br+s 8 intellig5ce into play4 ,s any poet may reveal himself z a wit :5 he pleases4 ,to d ?is !re w be no ne$ = him to acquire any?+2 x seems r z ?\gh he w\ld h to give up some?+4 ,he w\ld simply h to let 8 ideas hold conv]se ) "o ano!r = no?+1 = ! m]e joy ( ! ?+6 ,footnote3 ,p\r ri51 p\r le plaisir is a quotation f ,victor ,hugo's ,m>ion ,delorme ,he w\ld only h to unfa/5 ! d\ble bond :i* keeps 8 ideas 9 t\* ) 8 feel+s & 8 s\l 9 t\* ) life4 ,9 %ort1 he w\ld turn into a wit by simply resolv+ to be no long] a poet 9 feel+1 b only 9 intellig5ce4 ,b if wit consi/s1 = ! mo/ "p1 9 see+ ?+s ,,sub ,,specie ,,!atri1 x is evid5tly capable ( be+ specially direct$ to "o v>iety ( dramatic art1 namely1 com$y4 ,"h we h a m re/rict$ mean+ ( ! t]m1 &1 moreov]1 ! only "o t int]e/s u f ! po9t ( view ( ! !ory ( laught]4 ,:at is "h call$ ,,wit is a gift = da%+ (f comic sc5es 9 a few /rokes--da%+ !m (f1 h[ev]1 s subtly1 delicately & rapidly1 t all is ov] z soon z we beg9 to notice !m4 ,:o are ! actors 9 ^! sc5es8 ,) :om has ! wit to deal8 ,fir/ ( all1 ) 8 int]locutors !mselves1 :5 8 witticism is a direct retort to "o ( !m4 ,(t5 ) an abs5t p]son :om he supposes to h spok5 & to :om he is reply+4 ,/ill (t5]1 ) ! :ole _w1--9 ! ord9>y mean+ ( ! t]m1--:i* he takes to task1 twi/+ a curr5t idea into a p>adox1 or mak+ use ( a hackney$ phrase1 or p>ody+ "s quotation or prov]b4 ,if we comp>e ^! sc5es 9 m9iature ) "o ano!r1 we f9d !y are almo/ always v>iations ( a comic !me ) :i* we are well acqua9t$1 t ( ! robb] robb$4 ,y take up a metaphor1 a phrase1 an argum5t1 & turn x aga9/ ! man :o is1 or might be1 its au?or1 s t he is made to say :at he did n mean to say & lets himself be caught1 to "s ext5t1 9 ! toils ( language4 ,b ! !me ( ! robb] robb$ is n ! only possible "o4 ,we h gone ov] _m v>ieties ( ! comic1 & !re is n "o ( !m t is incapable ( be+ volatilis$ into a witticism4 ,e witty rem>k1 !n1 l5ds itself to an analysis1 ^: *emical =mula1 s to say1 we are n[ 9 a position to /ate4 ,x runs z foll[s3 ,take ! rem>k1 fir/ enl>ge x into a regul> sc5e1 !n f9d out ! category ( ! comic to :i* ! sc5e evid5tly belongs3 by ?is means y r$uce ! witty rem>k to its simple/ elem5ts & obta9 a full explanation ( x4 ,let u apply ?is me?od to a classic example4 ,y\r *e/ hurts me 7,j',,ai ,,mal ,a ,,votre ,,poitr9e7 wrote ,mme4 de ,sevigne to h] ail+ daught]--cle>ly a witty say+4 ,if our !ory is correct1 we ne$ only lay /ress ^u ! say+1 enl>ge & magnify x1 & we %all see x exp& into a comic sc5e4 ,n[1 we f9d ?is v sc5e1 ready made1 9 ! ,,am\r ,,m$ec9 ( ,moli]e4 ,! %am doctor1 ,clit&re1 :o has be5 summon$ to att5d ,sgan>elle's daught]1 cont5ts himself ) feel+ ,sgan>elle's own pulse1 :]eupon1 rely+ on ! sympa?y !re mu/ be betwe5 fa!r & daught]1 he unhesitat+ly concludes3 ,y\r daught] is v ill6 ,"h we h ! transition f ! witty to ! comical4 ,to complete our analysis1 !n1 all we h to d is to discov] :at !re is comical 9 ! idea ( giv+ a diagnosis ( ! *ild aft] s\nd+ ! fa!r or ! "m4 ,well1 we "k t "o ess5tial =m ( comic fancy lies 9 pictur+ to ourselves a liv+ p]son z a k9d ( jo9t$ danc+-doll1 & t frequ5tly1 ) ! object ( induc+ u to =m ?is m5tal picture1 we are %[n two or m p]sons speak+ & act+ z ?\gh atta*$ to "o ano!r by invisible /r+s4 ,is n ?is ! idea "h sugge/$ :5 we are l$ to mat]ialise1 s to speak1 ! sympa?y we po/ulate z exi/+ betwe5 fa!r & daught]8 ,we n[ see h[ x is t writ]s on wit h p]=ce conf9$ !mselves to comm5t+ on ! extraord9>y complexity ( ! ?+s d5ot$ by ! t]m )\t ev] succe$+ 9 def9+ x4 ,!re are _m ways ( be+ witty1 almo/ z _m z !re are ( be+ ! rev]se4 ,h[ c we detect :at !y h 9 common ) "o ano!r1 unless we fir/ det]m9e ! g5]al relation%ip betwe5 ! witty & ! comic8 ,once1 h[ev]1 ?is relation%ip is cle>$ up1 ev]y?+ is pla9 sail+4 ,we !n f9d ! same connection betwe5 ! comic & ! witty z exi/s betwe5 a regul> sc5e & ! fugitive sugge/ion ( a possible "o4 ,h5ce1 h[ev] num]\s ! =ms assum$ by ! comic1 wit w possess an equal numb] ( correspond+ v>ieties4 ,s t ! comic1 9 all its =ms1 is :at %\ld be def9$ fir/1 by discov]+ 7a task :i* is already q difficult en\gh7 ! clue t leads f "o =m to ! o!r4 ,by t v op]ation wit w h be5 analys$1 & w !n appe> z no?+ m ?an ! comic 9 a highly volatile /ate4 ,to foll[ ! opposite plan1 h[ev]1 & attempt directly to evolve a =mula = wit1 w\ld be c\rt+ c]ta9 failure4 ,:at %\ld we ?9k ( a *emi/ :o1 hav+ ev] s _m j>s ( a c]ta9 sub/ance 9 8 laboratory1 w\ld pref] gett+ t sub/ance f ! atmosph]e1 9 :i* m]ely inf9itesimal traces ( its vap\r are to be f\nd8 ,b ?is comp>ison betwe5 ! witty & ! comic is also indicative ( ! l9e we mu/ take 9 /udy+ ! comic 9 words4 ,on ! "o h&1 inde$1 we f9d !re is no ess5tial diff]5ce betwe5 a ^w t is comic & "o t is witty2 on ! o!r h&1 ! latt]1 al?\gh connect$ ) a figure ( spee*1 inv>iably calls up ! image1 dim or di/9ct1 ( a comic sc5e4 ,?is am\nts to say+ t ! comic 9 spee* %\ld correspond1 po9t by po9t1 ) ! comic 9 actions & 9 situations1 & is no?+ m1 if "o may s express oneself1 ?an _! projection on to ! plane ( words4 ,s let u return to ! comic 9 actions & 9 situations1 consid] ! *ief me?ods by :i* x is obta9$1 & apply !m to ! *oice ( words & ! build+ up ( s5t5ces4 ,we %all ?us h e possible =m ( ! comic 9 words z well z e v>iety ( wit4 #a4 ,inadv]t5tly to say or d :at we h no int5tion ( say+ or do+1 z a result ( inela/icity or mom5tum1 is1 z we are aw>e1 "o ( ! ma9 s\rces ( ! comic4 ,?us1 abs5tm9d$ness is ess5tially laughable1 & s we laugh at any?+ rigid1 ready-made1 me*anical 9 ge/ure1 attitude & ev5 facial expression4 ,d we f9d ?is k9d ( rigidity 9 language also8 ,no d\bt we d1 s9ce language conta9s ready-made =mulas & /]eotyp$ phrases4 ,! man :o always express$ himself 9 su* t]ms w\ld inv>iably be comic4 ,b if an isolat$ phrase is to be comic 9 itself1 :5 once sep>at$ f ! p]son :o utt]s x1 x mu/ be some?+ m ?an ready-made1 x mu/ be> )9 itself "s sign :i* tells u1 beyond ! possibility ( d\bt1 t x 0 utt]$ automatically4 ,?is c only happ5 :5 ! phrase embodies "s evid5t absurdity1 ei!r a palpable error or a contradiction 9 t]ms4 ,h5ce ! foll[+ g5]al rule3 ,a ,,comic ,,mean+ ,,is ,,inv>iably ,,obta9$ ,,:5 ,,an ,,absurd ,,idea ,,is ,,fitt$ ,,into ,a ,,well-,,e/abli%$ ,,phrase-,,=m4 ,ce sabre e/ le plus beau j\r de ma vie1 said ,m4 ,prudhomme4 ,translate ! phrase into ,engli% or ,g]man & x becomes purely absurd1 ?\gh x is comic en\gh 9 ,fr5*4 ,! reason is t le plus beau j\r de ma vie is "o ( ^? ready-made phrase-end+s to :i* a ,fr5*man's e> is accu/om$4 ,to make x comic1 !n1 we ne$ only cle>ly indicate ! automatism ( ! p]son :o utt]s x4 ,?is is :at we get :5 we introduce an absurdity into ! phrase4 ,"h ! absurdity is by no means ! s\rce ( ! comic1 x is only a v simple & effective means ( mak+ x obvi\s4 ,we h quot$ only "o say+ ( ,m4 ,prudhomme1 b ! majority ( ^? attribut$ to him belong to ! same class4 ,m4 ,prudhomme is a man ( ready-made phrases4 ,& z !re are ready-made phrases 9 all languages1 ,m4 ,prudhomme is always capable ( be+ transpos$1 ?\gh seldom ( be+ translat$4 ,at times ! commonplace phrase1 "u cov] ( :i* ! absurdity slips 91 is n s readily noticeable4 ,i don't l work+ betwe5 meals1 said a lazy l\t4 ,!re w\ld be no?+ amus+ 9 ! say+ did !re n exi/ t salut>y precept 9 ! realm ( hygi5e3 ,"o %\ld n eat betwe5 meals4 ,sometimes1 too1 ! effect is a complicat$ "o4 ,in/ead ( "o commonplace phrase-=m1 !re are two or ?ree :i* are dovetail$ into ea* o!r4 ,take1 = in/ance1 ! rem>k ( "o ( ! *>act]s 9 a play by ,labi*e1 ,only ,god has ! "r to kill ,8 fell[-creature4 ,x w\ld seem t advantage is "h tak5 ( two sep>ate famili> say+s2 ,x is ,god :o disposes ( ! lives ( m51 &1 ,x is crim9al = a man to kill 8 fell[-creature4 ,b ! two say+s are comb9$ s z to deceive ! e> & leave ! impression ( be+ "o ( ^? hackney$ s5t5ces t are accept$ z a matt] ( c\rse4 ,h5ce our att5tion nods1 until we are sudd5ly ar\s$ by ! absurdity ( ! mean+4 ,^! examples suffice to %[ h[ "o ( ! mo/ important types ( ! comic c be project$--9 a simplifi$ =m--on ! plane ( spee*4 ,we w n[ proce$ to a =m :i* is n s g5]al4 #b4 ,we laugh if our att5tion is div]t$ to ! physical 9 a p]son :5 x is ! moral t is 9 "q1 is a law we laid d[n 9 ! fir/ "p ( ?is "w4 ,let u apply x to language4 ,mo/ words might be said to h a ,,physical & a ,,moral mean+1 accord+ z !y are int]pret$ lit]ally or figuratively4 ,e ^w1 inde$1 beg9s by d5ot+ a concrete object or a mat]ial action2 b by degrees ! mean+ ( ! ^w is ref9$ into an ab/ract relation or a pure idea4 ,if1 !n1 ! above law holds good "h1 x %\ld be /at$ z foll[s3 ,a comic effect is obta9$ :5ev] we pret5d to take lit]ally an expression :i* 0 us$ figuratively2 or1 ,once our att5tion is fix$ on ! mat]ial aspect ( a metaphor1 ! idea express$ becomes comic4 ,9 ! phrase1 ,t\s les arts sont fr]es 7all ! arts are bro!rs71 ! ^w fr]e 7bro!r7 is us$ metaphorically to indicate a m or less /rik+ resemblance4 ,! ^w is s (t5 us$ 9 ?is way1 t :5 we he> x we d n ?9k ( ! concrete1 ! mat]ial connection impli$ 9 e relation%ip4 ,we %\ld notice x m if we 7 told t ,t\s les arts sont c\s9s1 = ! ^w c\s9 is n s (t5 employ$ 9 a figurative s5se2 t is :y ! ^w "h already assumes a slight t+e ( ! comic4 ,b let u g fur!r /ill1 & suppose t our att5tion is attract$ to ! mat]ial side ( ! metaphor by ! *oice ( a relation%ip :i* is incompatible ) ! g5d] ( ! two words compos+ ! metaphorical expression3 we get a laughable result4 ,su* is ! well-kn[n say+1 also attribut$ to ,m4 ,prudhomme1 ,t\s les arts 7mascul9e7 sont soeurs 7fem99e74 ,he is always runn+ aft] a joke1 0 said 9 ,b\ffl]s' pres5ce reg>d+ a v conceit$ fell[4 ,_h ,b\ffl]s repli$1 ,he won't cat* x1 t w\ld h be5 ! beg9n+ ( a witty say+1 ?\gh no?+ m ?an ! beg9n+1 = ! ^w cat* is int]pret$ figuratively almo/ z (t5 z ! ^w run2 nor does x compel u m /rongly ?an ! latt] to mat]ialise ! image ( two runn]s1 ! "o at ! heels ( ! o!r4 ,9 ord] t ! rejo9d] may appe> to be a ?or\ghly witty "o1 we mu/ borr[ f ! language ( sport an expression s vivid & concrete t we _c refra9 f witness+ ! race 9 good e>ne/4 ,?is is :at ,b\ffl]s does :5 he retorts1 ,i'll back ! joke6 ,we said t wit (t5 consi/s 9 ext5d+ ! idea ( "o's int]locutor to ! po9t ( mak+ him express ! opposite ( :at he ?9ks & gett+ him1 s to say1 entrapt by 8 own words4 ,we mu/ n[ add t ?is trap is almo/ always "s metaphor or comp>ison ! concrete aspect ( :i* is turn$ aga9/ him4 ,y may rememb] ! dialogue betwe5 a "m & h] son 9 ! ,faux ,bon%ommes3 ,my de> boy1 gambl+ on ',*ange is v risky4 ,y w9 "o day & lose ! next4--,well1 !n1 ,i w gamble only e o!r day4 ,9 ! same play too we f9d ! foll[+ edify+ conv]sation betwe5 two company-promot]s3 ,is ?is a v hon\rable ?+ we are do+8 ,^! un=tunate %>ehold]s1 y see1 we are tak+ ! money out ( _! v pockets4444--,well1 out ( :at d y expect u to take x8 ,an amus+ result is likewise obta9able :5ev] a symbol or an emblem is exp&$ on its concrete side1 & a pret5ce is made ( reta9+ ! same symbolical value = ?is expansion z = ! emblem itself4 ,9 a v lively com$y we are introduc$ to a ,monte ,c>lo (ficial1 ^: uni=m is cov]$ ) m$als1 al?\gh he has only receiv$ a s+le decoration4 ,y see1 ,i /ak$ my m$al on a numb] at r\lette1 he said1 & z ! numb] turn$ up1 ,i 0 entitl$ to ?irty-six times my /ake4 ,?is reason+ is v simil> to t (f]$ by ,giboy] 9 ! ,effrontes4 ,criticism is made ( a bride ( =ty summ]s :o is we>+ orange-blossoms ) h] w$d+ co/ume3 ,:y1 %e 0 entitl$ to oranges1 let alone orange-blossoms6 rem>k$ ,giboy]4 ,b we %\ld nev] cease 7 we to take "o by "o all ! laws we h /at$1 & try to prove !m on :at we h call$ ! plane ( language4 ,we _h bett] conf9e ourselves to ! ?ree g5]al propositions ( ! prec$+ section4 ,we h %[n t s]ies ( ev5ts may become comic ei!r by repetition1 by inv]sion1 or by reciprocal int]f]5ce4 ,n[ we %all see t ?is is also ! case ) s]ies ( words4 ,to take s]ies ( ev5ts & repeat !m 9 ano!r key or ano!r environm5t1 or to inv]t !m :il/ /ill leav+ !m a c]ta9 mean+1 or mix !m up s t _! respective mean+s jo/le "o ano!r1 is inv>iably comic1 z we h already said1 = x is gett+ life to submit to be treat$ z a ma*9e4 ,b ?\ght1 too1 is a liv+ ?+4 ,& language1 ! translation ( ?\ght1 %\ld be j z liv+4 ,we may ?us surmise t a phrase is likely to become comic if1 ?\gh rev]s$1 x /ill makes s5se1 or if x expresses equally well two q indep5d5t sets ( ideas1 or1 f9ally1 if x has be5 obta9$ by transpos+ an idea into "s key o!r ?an its own4 ,su*1 inde$1 are ! ?ree fundam5tal laws ( :at might be call$ ,,! ,,comic ,,trans=mation ,,( ,,s5t5ces1 z we %all %[ by a few examples4 ,let x fir/ be said t ^! ?ree laws are f> f be+ ( equal importance z reg>ds ! !ory ( ! ludicr\s4 ,,inv]sion is ! lea/ int]e/+ ( ! ?ree4 ,x mu/ be easy ( application1 h[ev]1 = x is noticeable t1 no soon] d pr(essional wits he> a s5t5ce spok5 ?an !y exp]im5t to see if a mean+ _c be obta9$ by rev]s+ x1--by putt+1 = in/ance1 ! subject 9 place ( ! object1 & ! object 9 place ( ! subject4 ,x is n unusual = ?is device to be employ$ = refut+ an idea 9 m or less humor\s t]ms4 ,"o ( ! *>act]s 9 a com$y ( ,labi*e %\ts out to 8 neighb\r on ! floor above1 :o is 9 ! habit ( dirty+ 8 balcony1 ,:at d y mean by empty+ y\r pipe on to my t]race8 ,! neighb\r retorts1 ,:at d y mean by putt+ y\r t]race "u my pipe8 ,!re is no necessity to dwell ^u ?is k9d ( wit1 in/ances ( :i* c\ld easily be multipli$4 ,! ,,reciprocal ,,int]f]5ce ( two sets ( ideas 9 ! same s5t5ce is an inexhau/ible s\rce ( amus+ v>ieties4 ,!re are _m ways ( br++ ab\t ?is int]f]5ce1 ,i mean ( bracket+ 9 ! same expression two indep5d5t mean+s t app>5tly tally4 ,! lea/ reputable ( ^! ways is ! pun4 ,9 ! pun1 ! same s5t5ce appe>s to (f] two indep5d5t mean+s1 b x is only an appe>ance2 9 reality !re are two diff]5t s5t5ces made up ( diff]5t words1 b claim+ to be "o & ! same because bo? h ! same s\nd4 ,we pass f ! pun1 by imp]ceptible /ages1 to ! true play ^u words4 ,"h !re is really "o & ! same s5t5ce ?r\gh :i* two diff]5t sets ( ideas are express$1 & we are confront$ ) only "o s]ies ( words2 b advantage is tak5 ( ! diff]5t mean+s a ^w may h1 especially :5 us$ figuratively in/ead ( lit]ally4 ,s t 9 fact !re is (t5 only a slight diff]5ce betwe5 ! play ^u words on ! "o h&1 & a poetic metaphor or an illum9at+ comp>ison on ! o!r4 ,:]eas an illum9at+ comp>ison & a /rik+ image always seem to reveal ! close h>mony t exi/s betwe5 language & nature1 reg>d$ z two p>allel =ms ( life1 ! play ^u words makes u ?9k someh[ ( a neglig5ce on ! "p ( language1 :i*1 = ! "t be+1 seems to h =gott5 its real function & n[ claims to accommodate ?+s to itself in/ead ( accommodat+ itself to ?+s4 ,& s ! play ^u words always betrays a mom5t>y ,,lapse ,,( ,,att5tion 9 language1 & x is precisely on t acc\nt t x is amus+4 ,,inv]sion & ,,reciprocal ,,int]f]5ce1 aft] all1 are only a c]ta9 playfulness ( ! m9d :i* ends at play+ ^u words4 ,! comic 9 ,,transposition is mu* m f>-rea*+4 ,inde$1 transposition is to ord9>y language :at repetition is to com$y4 ,we said t repetition is ! fav\rite me?od ( classic com$y4 ,x consi/s 9 s arrang+ ev5ts t a sc5e is reproduc$ ei!r betwe5 ! same *>act]s "u fre% circum/ances or betwe5 fre% *>act]s "u ! same circum/ances4 ,?us we h1 repeat$ by lackeys 9 less dignifi$ language1 a sc5e already play$ by _! ma/]s4 ,n[1 imag9e ideas express$ 9 suitable /yle & ?us plac$ 9 ! sett+ ( _! natural environm5t4 ,if y ?9k ( "s arrangem5t :]eby !y are transf]r$ to fre% surr\nd+s1 :ile ma9ta9+ _! mutual relations1 or1 9 o!r words1 if y c induce !m to express !mselves 9 an altoge!r diff]5t /yle & to transpose !mselves into ano!r key1 y w h language itself play+ a com$y--language itself made comic4 ,!re w be no ne$1 moreov]1 actually to set be=e u bo? expressions ( ! same ideas1 ! transpos$ expression & ! natural "o4 ,= we are acqua9t$ ) ! natural "o--! "o :i* we %\ld h *os5 in/9ctively4 ,s x w be en\gh if ! ef=t ( comic inv5tion be>s on ! o!r1 & on ! o!r alone4 ,no soon] is ! second set be=e u ?an we spontane\sly supply ! fir/4 ,h5ce ! foll[+ g5]al rule3 ,a ,,comic ,,effect ,,is ,,always ,,obta9able ,,by ,,transpos+ ,,! ,,nature ,,expression ,,( ,,an ,,idea ,,into ,,ano!r ,,key4 ,! means ( transposition are s _m & v>i$1 language af=ds s ri* a cont9uity ( !mes & ! comic is "h capable ( pass+ ?r\gh s great a numb] ( /ages1 f ! mo/ insipid buffoon]y up to ! l(tie/ =ms ( hum\r & irony1 t we %all =ego ! attempt to make out a complete li/4 ,hav+ /at$ ! rule1 we w simply1 "h & !re1 v]ify its ma9 applications4 ,9 ! fir/ place1 we may di/+ui% two keys at ! extreme ends ( ! scale1 ! solemn & ! famili>4 ,! mo/ obvi\s effects are obta9$ by m]ely transpos+ ! "o into ! o!r1 :i* ?us provides u ) two opposite curr5ts ( comic fancy4 ,transpose ! solemn into ! famili> & ! result is p>ody4 ,! effect ( p>ody1 ?us def9$1 ext5ds to in/ances 9 :i* ! idea express$ 9 famili> t]ms is "o t1 if only 9 def]5ce to cu/om1 ought to be pit*$ 9 ano!r key4 ,take z an example ! foll[+ description ( ! dawn1 quot$ by ,jean ,paul ,ri*t]3 ,! sky 0 beg9n+ to *ange f black to r$1 l a lob/] be+ boil$4 ,note t ! expression ( old-_w matt]s 9 t]ms ( mod]n life produces ! same effect1 by reason ( ! halo ( poetry :i* surr\nds classical antiquity4 ,x is d\btless ! comic 9 p>ody t has sugge/$ to "s philosoph]s1 & 9 p>ticul> to ,alex&] ,ba91 ! idea ( def9+ ! comic1 9 g5]al1 z a species ( ,,degradation4 ,!y describe ! laughable z caus+ some?+ to appe> mean t 0 =m]ly dignifi$4 ,b if our analysis is correct1 degradation is only "o =m ( transposition1 & transposition itself only "o ( ! means ( obta9+ laught]4 ,!re is a ho/ ( o!rs1 & ! s\rce ( laught] mu/ be s\ght = mu* fur!r back4 ,moreov]1 )\t go+ s f>1 we see t :ile ! transposition f solemn to trivial1 f bett] to worse1 is comic1 ! inv]se transposition may be ev5 m s4 ,x is met ) z (t5 z ! o!r1 &1 app>5tly1 we may di/+ui% two ma9 =ms ( x1 accord+ z x ref]s to ! ,,physical ,,dim5sions ( an object or to its ,,moral ,,value4 ,to speak ( small ?+s z ?\gh !y 7 l>ge is1 9 a g5]al way1 ,,to ,,exagg]ate4 ,exagg]ation is always comic :5 prolong$1 & especially :5 sy/ematic2 !n1 inde$1 x appe>s z "o me?od ( transposition4 ,x excites s mu* laught] t "s writ]s h be5 l$ to def9e ! comic z exagg]ation1 j z o!rs h def9$ x z degradation4 ,z a matt] ( fact1 exagg]ation1 l degradation1 is only "o =m ( "o k9d ( ! comic4 ,/ill1 x is a v /rik+ =m4 ,x has giv5 bir? to ! mock-h]oic poem1 a r old-fa%ion$ device1 ,i admit1 ?\gh traces ( x are /ill to be f\nd 9 p]sons incl9$ to exagg]ate me?odically4 ,x might (t5 be said ( braggadocio t x is its mock-h]oic aspect :i* makes u laugh4 ,f> m artificial1 b also f> m ref9$1 is ! transposition upw>ds f bel[ :5 appli$ to ! moral value ( ?+s1 n to _! physical dim5sions4 ,to express 9 reputable language "s disreputable idea1 to take "s sc&al\s situation1 "s l[-class call+ or disgraceful behavi\r1 & describe !m 9 t]ms ( ! utmo/ ,,respectability1 is g5]ally comic4 ,! ,engli% ^w is "h purposely employ$1 z ! practice itself is *>act]i/ically ,engli%4 ,_m in/ances ( x may be f\nd 9 ,dick5s & ,?ack]ay1 & 9 ,engli% lit]ature g5]ally4 ,let u rem>k1 9 pass+1 t ! int5sity ( ! effect does n "h dep5d on its l5g?4 ,a ^w is sometimes suffici5t1 provid$ x gives u a glimpse ( an entire sy/em ( transposition accept$ 9 c]ta9 social circles & reveals1 z x 71 a moral organisation ( immorality4 ,take ! foll[+ rem>k made by an (ficial to "o ( 8 subord9ates 9 a novel ( ,gogol's1 ,y\r peculations are too ext5sive = an (ficial ( y\r rank4 ,summ+ up ! =ego+1 !n1 !re are two extreme t]ms ( comp>ison1 ! v l>ge & ! v small1 ! be/ & ! wor/1 betwe5 :i* transposition may be effect$ 9 "o direction or ! o!r4 ,n[1 if ! int]val be gradually n>r[$1 ! contra/ betwe5 ! t]ms obta9$ w be less & less viol5t1 & ! v>ieties ( comic transposition m & m subtle4 ,! mo/ common ( ^! contra/s is p]haps t betwe5 ! real & ! ideal1 betwe5 :at is & :at ought to be4 ,"h aga9 transposition may take place 9 ei!r direction4 ,sometimes we /ate :at ought to be done1 & pret5d to believe t ?is is j :at is actually be+ done2 !n we h ,,irony4 ,sometimes1 on ! contr>y1 we describe ) scrupul\s m9ut5ess :at is be+ done1 & pret5d to believe t ?is is j :at ought to be done2 su* is (t5 ! me?od ( ,,hum\r4 ,hum\r1 ?us d5n$1 is ! c\nt]p>t ( irony4 ,bo? are =ms ( satire1 b irony is oratorical 9 its nature1 :il/ hum\r p>takes ( ! sci5tific4 ,irony is emphasis$ ! high] we all[ ourselves to be uplift$ by ! idea ( ! good t ought to be3 ?us irony may gr[ s hot )9 u t x becomes a k9d ( high-pressure eloqu5ce4 ,on ! o!r h&1 hum\r is ! m emphasis$ ! deep] we g d[n into an evil t actually is1 9 ord] t o set d[n its details 9 ! mo/ cold-blood$ indiff]5ce4 ,sev]al au?ors1 ,jean ,paul among/ !m1 h notic$ t hum\r delights 9 concrete t]ms1 te*nical details1 def9ite facts4 ,if our analysis is correct1 ?is is n an accid5tal trait ( hum\r1 x is its v ess5ce4 ,a humori/ is a morali/ disguis$ z a sci5ti/1 some?+ l an anatomi/ :o practises dissection ) ! sole object ( fill+ u ) disgu/2 s t hum\r1 9 ! re/rict$ s5se 9 :i* we are "h reg>d+ ! ^w1 is really a transposition f ! moral to ! sci5tific4 ,by /ill fur!r curtail+ ! int]val betwe5 ! t]ms transpos$1 we may n[ obta9 m & m specialis$ types ( comic transpositions4 ,?us1 c]ta9 pr(essions h a te*nical vocabul>y3 :at a weal? ( laughable results h be5 obta9$ by transpos+ ! ideas ( ev]yday life into ?is pr(essional j>gon6 ,equally comic is ! ext5sion ( bus9ess phraseology to ! social relations ( life1--= in/ance1 ! phrase ( "o ( ,labi*e's *>act]s 9 allusion to an invitation he has receiv$1 ,y\r k9dness ( ! ?ird ult41 ?us transpos+ ! comm]cial =mula1 ,y\r fav\r ( ! ?ird in/ant4 ,?is class ( ! comic1 moreov]1 may atta9 a special pr(undity ( its own :5 x discloses n m]ely a pr(essional practice1 b a fault 9 "*4 ,recall to m9d ! sc5es 9 ! ,faux ,bon%ommes & ! ,famille ,b5oiton1 :]e m>riage is dealt ) z a bus9ess affair1 & matt]s ( s5tim5t are set d[n 9 /rictly comm]cial language4 ,"h1 h[ev]1 we rea* ! po9t at :i* peculi>ities ( language really express peculi>ities ( "*1 a clos] inve/igation ( :i* we mu/ hold ov] to ! next *apt]4 ,?us1 z might h be5 expect$ & may be se5 f ! =ego+1 ! comic 9 words foll[s closely on ! comic 9 situation & is f9ally m]g$1 along ) ! latt]1 9 ! comic 9 "*4 ,language only atta9s laughable results because x is a human product1 modell$ z exactly z possible on ! =ms ( ! human m9d4 ,we feel x conta9s "s liv+ elem5t ( our own life2 & if ?is life ( language 7 complete & p]fect1 if !re 7 no?+ /]eotype 9 x1 if1 9 %ort1 language 7 an absolutely unifi$ organism incapable ( be+ split up into indep5d5t organisms1 x w\ld evade ! comic z w\ld a s\l ^: life 0 "o h>moni\s :ole1 unruffl$ z ! calm surface ( a peaceful lake4 ,!re is no pool1 h[ev]1 :i* has n "s dead leaves float+ on its surface1 no human s\l ^u :i* !re d n settle habits t make x rigid aga9/ itself by mak+ x rigid aga9/ o!rs1 no language1 9 %ort1 s subtle & in/9ct ) life1 s fully al]t 9 ea* ( its p>ts z to elim9ate ! ready-made & oppose ! me*anical op]ations ( inv]sion1 transposition1 etc41 :i* "o w\ld fa9 p]=m ^u x z on "s lifeless ?+4 ,! rigid1 ! ready--made1 ! me*anical1 9 contra/ ) ! supple1 ! ev]-*ang+ & ! liv+1 abs5tm9d$ness 9 contra/ ) att5tion1 9 a ^w1 automatism 9 contra/ ) free activity1 su* are ! defects t laught] s+les out & w\ld fa9 correct4 ,we appeal$ to ?is idea to give u light at ! outset1 :5 />t+ ^u ! analysis ( ! ludicr\s4 ,we h se5 x %9+ at e decisive turn+ 9 our road4 ,) its help1 we %all n[ ent] ^u a m important inve/igation1 "o t w1 we hope1 be m in/ructive4 ,we purpose1 9 %ort1 /udy+ comic *>act]s1 or r det]m9+ ! ess5tial conditions ( com$y 9 "*1 :ile endeav\r+ to br+ x ab\t t ?is /udy may contribute to a bett] und]/&+ ( ! real nature ( art & ! g5]al relation betwe5 art & life4 ,,*apt] ,,iii ,,! ,,comic ,,9 ,,"* ,i ,we h foll[$ ! comic along _m ( its w9d+ *annels 9 an endeav\r to discov] h[ x p]colates into a =m1 an attitude1 or a ge/ure2 a situation1 an action1 or an expression4 ,! analysis ( comic ,,*>act]s has n[ br\ght u to ! mo/ important "p ( our task4 ,x w\ld also be ! mo/ difficult1 _h we yield$ to ! temptation ( def9+ ! laughable by a few /rik+--& consequ5tly obvi\s--examples2 = !n1 9 proportion z we advanc$ t[>ds ! l(tie/ manife/ations ( ! comic1 we %\ld h f\nd ! facts slipp+ betwe5 ! ov]-wide me%es ( ! def9ition int5d$ to reta9 !m4 ,b1 z a matt] ( fact1 we h foll[$ ! opposite plan1 by ?r[+ light on ! subject f above4 ,conv9c$ t laught] has a social mean+ & import1 t ! comic expresses1 above all else1 a special lack ( adaptability to society1 & t1 9 %ort1 !re is no?+ comic ap>t f man1 we h made man & "* g5]ally our ma9 objective4 ,our *ief difficulty1 !re=e1 has la9 9 expla9+ h[ we come to laugh at any?+ else ?an "*1 & by :at subtle processes ( f]tilisation1 comb9ation or amalgamation1 ! comic c worm its way into a m]e movem5t1 an imp]sonal situation1 or an indep5d5t phrase4 ,?is is :at we h done s f>4 ,we />t$ ) ! pure metal1 & all our endeav\rs h be5 direct$ solely t[>ds recon/ruct+ ! ore4 ,x is ! metal itself we are n[ ab\t to /udy4 ,no?+ c\ld be easi]1 = ?is "t we h a simple elem5t to deal )4 ,let u exam9e x closely & see h[ x reacts ^u ev]y?+ else4 ,!re are moods1 we said1 :i* move u z soon u z soon z we p]ceive !m1 joys & sorr[s ) :i* we sympa?ise1 passions & vices :i* call =? pa9ful a/oni%m5t1 t]ror or pity1 9 ! behold]2 9 %ort1 s5tim5ts t are prolong$ 9 s5tim5tal ov]tones f m9d to m9d4 ,all ?is conc]ns ! ess5tials ( life4 ,all ?is is s]i\s1 at times ev5 tragic4 ,com$y c only beg9 at ! po9t :]e our neighb\r's p]sonality ceases to affect u4 ,x beg9s1 9 fact1 ) :at might be call$ a gr[+ call\sness to social life4 ,any individual is comic :o automatically goes 8 own way )\t tr\bl+ himself ab\t gett+ into t\* ) ! re/ ( 8 fell[-be+s4 ,x is ! "p ( laught] to reprove 8 abs5tm9d$ness & wake him out ( 8 dream4 ,if x is p]missible to comp>e important ?+s ) trivial ones1 we w\ld call to m9d :at happ5s :5 a y\? ent]s "o ( our milit>y academies4 ,aft] gett+ ?r\gh ! dread$ ordeal ( ! exam9ation1 he f9ds ! has o!r ordeals to face1 :i* 8 s5iors h arrang$ ) ! object ( fitt+ him = ! new life he is ent]+ ^u1 or1 z !y say1 ( break+ him into h>ness4 ,e small society t =ms )9 ! l>g] is ?us impell$1 by a vague k9d ( in/9ct1 to devise "s me?od ( discipl9e or break+ 91 s z to deal ) ! rigidity ( habits t h be5 =m$ else:]e & h n[ to und]go a p>tial modification4 ,society1 prop]ly s-call$1 proce$s 9 exactly ! same way4 ,ea* memb] mu/ be ev] att5tive to 8 social surr\nd+s2 he mu/ model himself on 8 environm5t2 9 %ort1 he mu/ avoid %utt+ himself up 9 8 own peculi> "* z a philosoph] 9 8 ivory t[]4 ,!re=e society holds susp5d$ ov] ea* individual memb]1 if n ! ?reat ( correction1 at all ev5ts ! prospect ( a snubb+1 :i*1 al?\gh x is slight1 is none ! less dread$4 ,su* mu/ be ! function ( laught]4 ,always r humiliat+ = ! "o aga9/ :om x is direct$1 laught] is1 really & truly1 a k9d ( social ragg+4 ,h5ce ! equivocal nature ( ! comic4 ,x belongs nei!r altoge!r to art nor altoge!r to life4 ,on ! "o h&1 *>act]s 9 real life w\ld nev] make u laugh 7 we n capable ( wat*+ _! vag>ies 9 ! same way z we look d[n at a play f our seat 9 a box2 !y are only comic 9 our eyes because !y p]=m a k9d ( com$y be=e u4 ,b1 on ! o!r h&1 ! pleasure caus$ by laught]1 ev5 on ! /age1 is n an unadult]at$ enjoym5t2 x is n a pleasure t is exclusively e/hetic or altoge!r dis9t]e/$4 ,x always implies a secret or unconsci\s int5t1 if n ( ea* "o ( u1 at all ev5ts ( society z a :ole4 ,9 laught] we always f9d an unav[$ int5tion to humiliate1 & consequ5tly to correct our neighb\r1 if n 9 8 w1 at lea/ 9 8 de$4 ,?is is ! reason a com$y is f> m l real life ?an a drama is4 ,! m sublime ! drama1 ! m pr(\nd ! analysis to :i* ! poet has _h to subject ! raw mat]ials ( daily life 9 ord] to obta9 ! tragic elem5t 9 its unadult]at$ =m4 ,on ! contr>y1 x is only 9 its l[] aspects1 9 light com$y & f>ce1 t com$y is 9 /rik+ contra/ to reality3 ! high] x rises1 ! m x approximates to life2 9 fact1 !re are sc5es 9 real life s closely bord]+ on high-class com$y t ! /age might adopt !m )\t *ang+ a s+le ^w4 ,h5ce x foll[s t ! elem5ts ( comic "* on ! /age & 9 actual life w be ! same4 ,:at are ^! elem5ts8 ,we %all f9d no difficulty 9 d$uc+ !m4 ,x has (t5 be5 said t x is ! ,,trifl+ faults ( our fell[-m5 t make u laugh4 ,evid5tly !re is a consid]able am\nt ( tru? 9 ?is op9ion2 /ill1 x _c be reg>d$ z altoge!r correct4 ,fir/1 z reg>ds faults1 x is no easy matt] to draw ! l9e betwe5 ! trifl+ & ! s]i\s2 maybe x is n because a fault is trifl+ t x makes u laugh1 b r because x makes u laugh t we reg>d x z trifl+1 = !re is no?+ dis>ms u l laught]4 ,b we may g ev5 f>!r1 & ma9ta9 t !re are faults at :i* we laugh1 ev5 ?\gh fully aw>e t !y are s]i\s1--,h>pagon's av>ice1 = in/ance4 ,& !n1 we may z well confess--?\gh some:at reluctantly--t we laugh n only at ! faults ( our fell[-m51 b also1 at times1 at _! good qualities4 ,we laugh at ,alce/e4 ,! objection may be urg$ t x is n ! e>ne/ness ( ,alce/e t is ludicr\s1 b r ! special aspect :i* e>ne/ness assumes 9 8 case1 &1 9 %ort1 a c]ta9 ecc5tricity t m>s x 9 our eyes4 ,agre$2 b x is none ! less true t ?is ecc5tricity 9 ,alce/e1 at :i* we laugh1 ,,makes ,,8 ,,e>ne/ness ,,laughable1 & t is ! ma9 po9t4 ,s we may conclude t ! ludicr\s is n always an indication ( a fault1 9 ! moral mean+ ( ! ^w1 & if critics insi/ on see+ a fault1 ev5 ?\gh a trifl+ "o1 9 ! ludicr\s1 !y mu/ po9t out :at x is "h t exactly di/+ui%es ! trifl+ f ! s]i\s4 ,! tru? is1 ! comic "* may1 /rictly speak+1 be q 9 accord ) /]n morality4 ,all x has to d is to br+ itself into accord ) society4 ,! "* ( ,alce/e is t ( a ?or\ghly hone/ man4 ,b !n he is unsociable1 &1 on t v acc\nt1 ludicr\s4 ,a flexible vice may n be s easy to ridicule z a rigid virtue4 ,x is rigidity t society eyes ) suspicion4 ,consequ5tly1 x is ! rigidity ( ,alce/e t makes u laugh1 ?\gh "h rigidity /&s = hone/y4 ,! man :o )draws into himself is liable to ridicule1 because ! comic is l>gely made up ( ?is v )drawal4 ,?is acc\nts = ! comic be+ s frequ5tly dep5d5t on ! mann]s or ideas1 or1 to put x bluntly1 on ! prejudices1 ( a society4 ,x mu/ be ackn[l$g$1 h[ev]1 to ! cr$it ( mank9d1 t !re is no ess5tial diff]5ce betwe5 ! social ideal & ! rule1 t x is ! faults ( o!rs t make u laugh1 provid$ we add t !y make u laugh by reason ( _! ,,unsociability r ?an ( _! ,,immorality4 ,:at1 !n1 are ! faults capable ( becom+ ludicr\s1 & 9 :at circum/ances d we reg>d !m z be+ too s]i\s to be laugh$ at8 ,we h already giv5 an implicit answ] to ?is "q4 ,! comic1 we said1 appeals to ! intellig5ce1 pure & simple2 laught] is incompatible ) emotion4 ,depict "s fault1 h[ev] trifl+1 9 su* a way z to ar\se sympa?y1 fe>1 or pity2 ! mis*ief is done1 x is impossible = u to laugh4 ,on ! o!r h&1 take a d[nright vice1--ev5 "o t is1 g5]ally speak+1 ( an odi\s nature1--y may make x ludicr\s if1 by "s suitable contrivance1 y arrange s t x leaves our emotions unaffect$4 ,n t ! vice mu/ !n be ludicr\s1 b x ,,may1 f t "t =?1 become s4 ,,x ,,mu/ ,,n ,,ar\se ,,our ,,feel+s2 t is ! sole condition really necess>y1 ?\gh assur$ly x is n suffici5t4 ,b1 !n1 h[ w ! comic poet set to "w to prev5t our feel+s be+ mov$8 ,! "q is an emb>rass+ "o4 ,to cle> x up ?or\ghly1 we %\ld h to ent] ^u a r novel l9e ( inve/igation1 to analyse ! artificial sympa?y :i* we br+ ) u to ! !atre1 & det]m9e ^u ! circum/ances 9 :i* we accept & ^? 9 :i* we refuse to %>e imag9>y joys & sorr[s4 ,!re is an art ( lull+ s5sibility to sleep & provid+ x ) dreams1 z happ5s 9 ! case ( a mesm]is$ p]son4 ,& !re is also an art ( ?r[+ a wet blanket ^u sympa?y at ! v mom5t x might arise1 ! result be+ t ! situation1 ?\gh a s]i\s "o1 is n tak5 s]i\sly4 ,?is latt] art w\ld appe> to be gov]n$ by two me?ods1 :i* are appli$ m or less unconsci\sly by ! comic poet4 ,! fir/ consi/s 9 ,,isolat+1 )9 ! s\l ( ! "*1 ! feel+ attribut$ to him1 & mak+ x a p>asitic organism1 s to speak1 end[$ ) an indep5d5t exi/5ce4 ,z a g5]al rule1 an int5se feel+ successively encroa*es ^u all o!r m5tal /ates & col\rs !m ) its own peculi> hue2 if1 !n1 we are made to witness ?is gradual impregnation1 we f9ally become impregnat$ ourselves ) a correspond+ emotion4 ,to employ a diff]5t image1 an emotion may be said to be dramatic & contagi\s :5 all ! h>monics 9 x are he>d along ) ! fundam5tal note4 ,x is because ! actor ?us ?rills ?r\gh\t 8 :ole be+ t ! spectators !mselves feel ! ?rill4 ,on ! contr>y1 9 ! case ( emotion t leaves u indiff]5t & t is ab\t to become comic1 !re is always pres5t a c]ta9 rigidity :i* prev5ts x f e/abli%+ a connection ) ! re/ ( ! s\l 9 :i* x has tak5 up its abode4 ,?is rigidity may be manife/$1 :5 ! "t comes1 by puppet-l movem5ts1 & !n x w provoke laught]2 b1 be=e t1 x _h already ali5at$ our sympa?y3 h[ c we put ourselves 9 tune ) a s\l :i* is n 9 tune ) itself8 ,9 ,moli]e's ,l',av>e we h a sc5e bord]+ ^u drama4 ,x is ! "o 9 :i* ! borr[] & ! usur]1 :o h nev] se5 ea* o!r1 meet face to face & f9d t !y are son & fa!r4 ,"h we %\ld be 9 ! ?ick ( a drama1 if only gre$ & fa!rly affection1 conflict+ ) ea* o!r 9 ! s\l ( ,h>pagon1 _h effect$ a m or less orig9al comb9ation4 ,b su* is n ! case4 ,no soon] has ! int]view come to an end ?an ! fa!r =gets ev]y?+4 ,on meet+ 8 son aga9 he b>ely alludes to ! sc5e1 s]i\s ?\gh x has be53 ,y1 my son1 :om ,i am good en\gh to =give y\r rec5t escapade1 etc4 ,gre$ has ?us pass$ close to all o!r feel+s ,,abs5tm9d$ly1 )\t ei!r t\*+ !m or be+ t\*$4 ,al?\gh x has tak5 up its abode 9 ! s\l & become ma/] ( ! h\se1 none ! less x rema9s a /rang]4 ,f> diff]5t w\ld be av>ice ( a tragic sort4 ,we %\ld f9d x attract+ & absorb+1 trans=m+ & assimilat+ ! div]s en]gies ( ! man3 feel+s & affections1 likes & dislikes1 vices & virtues1 w\ld all become some?+ into :i* av>ice w\ld brea! a new k9d ( life4 ,su* seems to be ! fir/ ess5tial diff]5ce betwe5 high-class com$y & drama4 ,!re is a second1 :i* is f> m obvi\s & arises out ( ! fir/4 ,:5 a m5tal /ate is depict$ to u ) ! object ( mak+ x dramatic1 or ev5 m]ely ( induc+ u to take x s]i\sly1 x gradually cry/allises into ,,actions :i* provide ! real measure ( its greatness4 ,?us1 ! mis] ord]s 8 :ole life ) a view to acquir+ weal?1 & ! pi\s hypocrite1 ?\gh pret5d+ to h 8 eyes fix$ ^u heav51 /e]s mo/ skilfully 8 c\rse "h bel[4 ,mo/ c]ta9ly1 com$y does n %ut out calculations ( ?is k9d2 we ne$ only take z an example ! v ma*9ations ( ,t>tuffe4 ,b t is :at com$y has 9 common ) drama2 & 9 ord] to keep di/9ct f x1 to prev5t our tak+ a s]i\s action s]i\sly1 9 %ort1 9 ord] to prep>e u = laught]1 com$y utilises a me?od1 ! =mula ( :i* may be giv5 z foll[s3 ,,in/ead ,,( ,,conc5trat+ ,,our ,,att5tion ,,on ,,actions1 ,,com$y ,,directs ,,x ,,r ,,to ,,ge/ures4 ,by ,,ge/ures we "h mean ! attitudes1 ! movem5ts & ev5 ! language by :i* a m5tal /ate expresses itself outw>dly )\t any aim or pr(it1 f no o!r cause ?an a k9d ( inn] it*+4 ,ge/ure1 ?us def9$1 is pr(\ndly diff]5t f action4 ,action is int5tional or1 at any rate1 consci\s2 ge/ure slips out unaw>es1 x is automatic4 ,9 action1 ! entire p]son is engag$2 9 ge/ure1 an isolat$ "p ( ! p]son is express$1 unkn[n to1 or at lea/ ap>t f1 ! :ole ( ! p]sonality4 ,la/ly--& "h is ! ess5tial po9t--action is 9 exact proportion to ! feel+ t inspires x3 ! "o gradually passes into ! o!r1 s t we may all[ our sympa?y or our av]sion to glide along ! l9e runn+ f feel+ to action & become increas+ly int]e/$4 ,ab\t ge/ure1 h[ev]1 !re is some?+ explosive1 :i* awakes our s5sibility :5 on ! po9t ( be+ lull$ to sleep &1 by ?us r\s+ u up1 prev5ts our tak+ matt]s s]i\sly4 ,?us1 z soon z our att5tion is fix$ on ge/ure & n on action1 we are 9 ! realm ( com$y4 ,did we m]ely take 8 actions into acc\nt1 ,t>tuffe w\ld belong to drama3 x is only :5 we take 8 ge/ures into consid]ation t we f9d him comic4 ,y may rememb] h[ he comes on to ! /age ) ! words3 ,laur5t1 lock up my hair-%irt & my sc\rge4 ,he kn[s ,dor9e is li/5+ to him1 b d\btless he w\ld say ! same if %e 7 n !re4 ,he ent]s s ?or\ghly into ! role ( a hypocrite t he plays x almo/ s9c]ely4 ,9 ?is way1 & ?is way only1 c he become comic4 ,7 x n = ?is mat]ial s9c]ity1 7 x n = ! language & attitudes t 8 long-/&+ exp]i5ce z a hypocrite has trans=m$ into natural ge/ures1 ,t>tuffe w\ld be simply odi\s1 because we %\ld only ?9k ( :at is meant & will$ 9 8 conduct4 ,& s we see :y action is ess5tial 9 drama1 b only accessory 9 com$y4 ,9 a com$y1 we feel any o!r situation might equally well h be5 *os5 = ! purpose ( introduc+ ! "*2 he w\ld /ill h be5 ! same man ?\gh ! situation 7 diff]5t4 ,b we d n get ?is impression 9 a drama4 ,"h *>act]s & situations are weld$ toge!r1 or r1 ev5ts =m "p & p>cel ) ! p]sons1 s t 7 ! drama to tell u a diff]5t /ory1 ev5 ?\gh ! actors kept ! same names1 we %\ld 9 reality be deal+ ) o!r p]sons4 ,to sum up1 :e!r a "* is good or bad is ( little mom5t3 grant$ he is unsociable1 he is capable ( becom+ comic4 ,we n[ see t ! s]i\sness ( ! case is ( no importance ei!r3 :e!r s]i\s or trifl+1 x is /ill capable ( mak+ u laugh1 provid$ t c>e be tak5 n to ar\se our emotions4 ,unsociability 9 ! p]=m] & ins5sibility 9 ! spectator--su*1 9 a ^w1 are ! two ess5tial conditions4 ,!re is a ?ird1 implicit 9 ! o!r two1 :i* s f> x has be5 ! aim ( our analysis to br+ out4 ,?is ?ird condition is automatism4 ,we h po9t$ x out f ! outset ( ?is "w1 cont9ually draw+ att5tion to ! foll[+ po9t3 :at is ess5tially laughable is :at is done automatically4 ,9 a vice1 ev5 9 a virtue1 ! comic is t elem5t by :i* ! p]son unwitt+ly betrays himself--! involunt>y ge/ure or ! unconsci\s rem>k4 ,abs5tm9d$ness is always comical4 ,inde$1 ! deep] ! abs5tm9d$ness ! high] ! com$y4 ,sy/ematic abs5tm9d$ness1 l t ( ,don ,quixote1 is ! mo/ comical ?+ imag9able3 x is ! comic itself1 drawn z ne>ly z possible f its v s\rce4 ,take any o!r comic "*3 h[ev] unconsci\s he may be ( :at he says or does1 he _c be comical unless !re be "s aspect ( 8 p]son ( :i* he is unaw>e1 "o side ( 8 nature :i* he ov]looks2 on t acc\nt alone does he make u laugh4 ,footnote3 ,:5 ! humori/ laughs at himself1 he is really act+ a d\ble "p2 ! self :o laughs is inde$ consci\s1 b n ! self :o is laugh$ at4 ,pr(\ndly comic say+s are ^? artless ones 9 :i* "s vice reveals itself 9 all its nak$ness3 h[ c\ld x ?us expose itself 7 x capable ( see+ itself z x is8 ,x is n uncommon = a comic "* to condemn 9 g5]al t]ms a c]ta9 l9e ( conduct & imm$iately aft]w>ds af=d an example ( x himself3 = in/ance1 ,m4 ,j\rda9's tea*] ( philosophy fly+ into a passion aft] inveigh+ aga9/ ang]2 ,vadius tak+ a poem f 8 pocket aft] heap+ ridicule on read]s ( poetry1 etc4 ,:at is ! object ( su* contradictions except to help u to put our f+] on ! oblivi\sness ( ! *>act]s to _! own actions8 ,inatt5tion to self1 & consequ5tly to o!rs1 is :at we inv>iably f9d4 ,& if we look at ! matt] closely1 we see t inatt5tion is "h equival5t to :at we h call$ unsociability4 ,! *ief cause ( rigidity is ! neglect to look ar\nd--& m especially )9 oneself3 h[ c a man fa%ion 8 p]sonality aft] t ( ano!r if he does n fir/ /udy o!rs z well z himself8 ,rigidity1 automatism1 abs5t-m9d$ness & unsociability are all inextricably entw9$2 & all s]ve z +r$i5ts to ! mak+ up ( ! comic 9 "*4 ,9 a ^w1 if we leave on "o side1 :5 deal+ ) human p]sonality1 t portion :i* int]e/s our s5sibility or appeals to our feel+1 all ! re/ is capable ( becom+ comic1 & ! comic w be proportion$ to ! rigidity4 ,we =mulat$ ?is idea at ! outset ( ?is "w4 ,we h v]ifi$ x 9 its ma9 results1 & h j appli$ x to ! def9ition ( com$y4 ,n[ we mu/ get to clos] qu>t]s1 & %[ h[ x enables u to delimitate ! exact position com$y occupies among all ! o!r arts4 ,9 "o s5se x might be said t all "* is comic1 provid$ we mean by "* ! ready-made elem5t 9 our p]sonality1 t me*anical elem5t :i* resembles a piece ( clockwork w\nd up once = all & capable ( work+ automatically4 ,x is1 if y w1 t :i* causes u to imitate ourselves4 ,& x is also1 = t v reason1 t :i* enables o!rs to imitate u4 ,e comic "* is a type4 ,inv]sely1 e resemblance to a type has some?+ comic 9 x4 ,?\gh we may long h associat$ ) an individual )\t discov]+ any?+ ab\t him to laugh at1 /ill1 if advantage is t tak5 ( "s accid5tal analogy to dub him ) ! "n ( a fam\s h]o ( romance or drama1 he w 9 our eyes bord] ^u ! ridicul\s1 if only = a mom5t4 ,& yet ?is h]o ( romance may n be a comic "* at all4 ,b !n x is comic to be l him4 ,x is comic to w&] out ( "o's own self4 ,x is comic to fall into a ready-made category4 ,& :at is mo/ comic ( all is to become a category oneself into :i* o!rs w fall1 z into a ready-made frame2 x is to cry/allise into a /ock "*4 ,?us1 to depict *>act]s1 t is to say1 g5]al types1 is ! object ( high-class com$y4 ,?is has (t5 be5 said4 ,b x is z well to repeat x1 s9ce !re c\ld be no bett] def9ition ( com$y4 ,n only are we entitl$ to say t com$y gives u g5]al types1 b we might add t x is ! ,,only "o ( all ! arts t aims at ! g5]al2 s t once ?is objective has be5 attribut$ to x1 we h said all t x is & all t ! re/ _c be4 ,to prove t su* is really ! ess5ce ( com$y1 & t x is 9 ?is respect oppos$ to trag$y1 drama & ! o!r =ms ( art1 we %\ld beg9 by def9+ art 9 its high] =ms3 !n1 gradually com+ d[n to comic poetry1 we %\ld f9d t ?is latt] is situat$ on ! bord]-l9e betwe5 art & life1 & t1 by ! g5]ality ( its subject-matt]1 x contra/s ) ! re/ ( ! arts4 ,we _c "h plunge into s va/ a subject ( inve/igation2 b we ne$s mu/ sket* its ma9 outl9es1 le/ we ov]look :at1 to our m9d1 is ess5tial on ! comic /age4 ,:at is ! object ( art8 ,c\ld reality come into direct contact ) s5se & consci\sness1 c\ld we ent] into imm$iate communion ) ?+s & ) ourselves1 probably art w\ld be useless1 or r we %\ld all be arti/s1 = !n our s\l w\ld cont9ually vibrate 9 p]fect accord ) nature4 ,our eyes1 aid$ by memory1 w\ld c>ve out 9 space & fix 9 "t ! mo/ inimitable ( pictures4 ,hewn 9 ! liv+ m>ble ( ! human =m1 fragm5ts ( /atues1 beautiful z ! relics ( antique /atu>y1 w\ld /rike ! pass+ glance4 ,deep 9 our s\ls we %\ld he> ! /ra9s ( our inn] life's unbrok5 melody1--a music t is (ttimes gay1 b m frequ5tly pla9tive & always orig9al4 ,all ?is is ar\nd & )9 u1 & yet no :it ( x d we di/9ctly p]ceive4 ,betwe5 nature & ourselves1 nay1 betwe5 ourselves & our own consci\sness a veil is int]pos$3 a veil t is d5se & opaque = ! common h]d1--?91 almo/ transp>5t1 = ! arti/ & ! poet4 ,:at fairy wove t veil8 ,0 x done 9 malice or 9 fri5dl9ess8 ,we _h to live1 & life dem&s t we grasp ?+s 9 _! relations to our own ne$s4 ,life is action4 ,life implies ! acceptance only ( ! ,,utilit>ian side ( ?+s 9 ord] to respond to !m by appropriate reactions3 all o!r impressions mu/ be dimm$ or else rea* u vague & blurr$4 ,i look & ,i ?9k ,i see1 ,i li/5 & ,i ?9k ,i he>1 ,i exam9e myself & ,i ?9k ,i am read+ ! v dep?s ( my he>t4 ,b :at ,i see & he> ( ! out] _w is purely & simply a selection made by my s5ses to s]ve z a light to my conduct2 :at ,i "k ( myself is :at comes to ! surface1 :at p>ticipates 9 my actions4 ,my s5ses & my consci\sness1 !re=e1 give me no m ?an a practical simplification ( reality4 ,9 ! vision !y furni% me ( myself & ( ?+s1 ! diff]5ces t are useless to man are oblit]at$1 ! resemblances t are useful to him are emphasis$2 ways are trac$ out = me 9 advance1 along :i* my activity is to travel4 ,^! ways are ! ways :i* all mank9d has trod be=e me4 ,?+s h be5 classifi$ ) a view to ! use ,i c d]ive f !m4 ,& x is ?is classification ,i p]ceive1 f> m cle>ly ?an ! col\r & ! %ape ( ?+s4 ,d\btless man is va/ly sup]ior to ! l[] animals 9 ?is respect4 ,x is n v likely t ! eye ( a wolf makes any di/9ction betwe5 a kid & a lamb2 bo? appe> t o ! wolf z ! same id5tical qu>ry1 alike easy to p\nce ^u1 alike good to dev\r4 ,we1 = our "p1 make a di/9ction betwe5 a goat & a %eep2 b c we tell "o goat f ano!r1 "o %eep f ano!r8 ,! ,,individuality ( ?+s or ( be+s escapes u1 unless x is mat]ially to our advantage to p]ceive x4 ,ev5 :5 we d take note ( x--z :5 we di/+ui% "o man f ano!r--x is n ! individuality itself t ! eye grasps1 i4e41 an entirely orig9al h>mony ( =ms & col\rs1 b only "o or two features t w make practical recognition easi]4 ,9 %ort1 we d n see ! actual ?+s !mselves2 9 mo/ cases we conf9e ourselves to read+ ! labels affix$ to !m4 ,?is t5d5cy1 ! result ( ne$1 has become ev5 m pron\nc$ "u ! influ5ce ( spee*2 = words--) ! exception ( prop] n\ns--all d5ote g5]a4 ,! ^w1 :i* only takes note ( ! mo/ ord9>y function & commonplace aspect ( ! ?+1 int]v5es betwe5 x & ourselves1 & w\ld conceal its =m f our eyes1 7 t =m n already mask$ b5ea? ! necessities t br\ght ! ^w into exi/5ce4 ,n only ext]nal objects1 b ev5 our own m5tal /ates1 are scre5$ f u 9 _! inmo/1 _! p]sonal aspect1 9 ! orig9al life !y possess4 ,:5 we feel love or hatr$1 :5 we are gay or sad1 is x really ! feel+ itself t rea*es our consci\sness ) ^? innum]able fleet+ %ades ( mean+ & deep res\nd+ e*oes t make x some?+ altoge!r our own8 ,we %\ld all1 7 x s1 be noveli/s or poets or musicians4 ,mo/ly1 h[ev]1 we p]ceive no?+ b ! outw>d display ( our m5tal /ate4 ,we cat* only ! imp]sonal aspect ( our feel+s1 t aspect :i* spee* has set d[n once = all because x is almo/ ! same1 9 ! same conditions1 = all m54 ,?us1 ev5 9 our own individual1 individuality escapes our k54 ,we move amid/ g5]alities & symbols1 z )9 a tilt-y>d 9 :i* our =ce is effectively pitt$ aga9/ o!r =ces2 & fasc9at$ by action1 tempt$ by x1 = our own good1 on to ! field x has select$1 we live 9 a zone midway betwe5 ?+s & ourselves1 ext]nally to ?+s1 ext]nally also to ourselves4 ,f "t to "t1 h[ev]1 9 a fit ( abs5tm9d$ness1 nature raises up s\ls t are m deta*$ f life4 ,n ) t int5tional1 logical1 sy/ematical deta*m5t--! result ( reflection & philosophy--b r ) natural deta*m5t1 "o innate 9 ! /ructure ( s5se or consci\sness1 :i* at once reveals itself by a virg9al mann]1 s to speak1 ( see+1 he>+ or ?9k+4 ,7 ?is deta*m5t complete1 did ! s\l no long] cleave to action by any ( its p]ceptions1 x w\ld be ! s\l ( an arti/ su* z ! _w has nev] yet se54 ,x w\ld excel alike 9 e art at ! same "t2 or r1 x w\ld fuse !m all into "o4 ,x w\ld p]ceive all ?+s 9 _! native purity3 ! =ms1 col\rs1 s\nds ( ! physical _w z well z ! subtle/ movem5ts ( ! inn] life4 ,b ?is is ask+ too mu* ( nature4 ,ev5 = su* ( u z %e has made arti/s1 x is by accid5t1 & on "o side only1 t %e has lift$ ! veil4 ,9 "o direction only has %e =gott5 to rivet ! p]ception to ! ne$4 ,& s9ce ea* direction corresponds to :at we call a ,,s5se--?r\gh "o ( 8 s5ses1 & ?r\gh t s5se alone1 is ! arti/ usually w$d$ to art4 ,h5ce1 orig9ally1 ! div]sity ( arts4 ,h5ce also ! speciality ( pr$ispositions4 ,?is "o applies himself to col\rs & =ms1 & s9ce he loves col\r = col\r & =m = =m1 s9ce he p]ceives !m = _! sake & n = 8 own1 x is ! inn] life ( ?+s t he sees appe>+ ?r\gh _! =ms & col\rs4 ,little by little he ins9uates x into our own p]ception1 baffl$ ?\gh we may be at ! outset4 ,= a few mom5ts at lea/1 he div]ts u f ! prejudices ( =m & col\r t come betwe5 ourselves & reality4 ,& ?us he realises ! l(tie/ ambition ( art1 :i* "h consi/s 9 reveal+ to u nature4 ,o!rs1 aga91 retire )9 !mselves4 ,b5ea? ! ?\s& rudim5t>y actions :i* are ! outw>d & visible signs ( an emotion1 beh9d ! commonplace1 conv5tional expression t bo? reveals & conceals an individual m5tal /ate1 x is ! emotion1 ! orig9al mood1 to :i* !y atta9 9 its undefil$ ess5ce4 ,& !n1 to induce u to make ! same ef=t ourselves1 !y contrive to make u see some?+ ( :at !y h se53 by rhy?mical arrangem5t ( words1 :i* ?us become organis$ & animat$ ) a life ( _! own1 !y tell u--or r sugge/--?+s t spee* 0 n calculat$ to express4 ,o!rs delve yet deep] /ill4 ,b5ea? ^! joys & sorr[s :i* c1 at a p9*1 be translat$ into language1 !y grasp some?+ t has no?+ 9 common ) language1 c]ta9 rhy?ms ( life & brea? t4 are clos] to man ?an 8 inmo/ feel+s1 be+ ! liv+ law--v>y+ ) ea* individual--( 8 en?usiasm & despair1 8 hopes & regrets4 ,by sett+ free & emphasis+ ?is music1 !y =ce x ^u our att5tion2 !y compel u1 willy-nilly1 to fall 9 ) x1 l pass]s-by :o jo9 9 a dance4 ,& ?us !y impel u to set 9 motion1 9 ! dep?s ( our be+1 "s secret *ord :i* 0 only wait+ to ?rill4 ,s art1 :e!r x be pa9t+ or sculpture1 poetry or music1 has no o!r object ?an to bru% aside ! utilit>ian symbols1 ! conv5tional & socially accept$ g5]alities1 9 %ort1 ev]y?+ t veils reality f u1 9 ord] to br+ u face to face ) reality itself4 ,x is f a misund]/&+ on ?is po9t t ! dispute betwe5 realism & idealism 9 art has aris54 ,art is c]ta9ly only a m direct vision ( reality4 ,b ?is purity ( p]ception implies a break ) utilit>ian conv5tion1 an innate & specially localis$ dis9t]e/$ness ( s5se or consci\sness1 9 %ort1 a c]ta9 immat]iality ( life1 :i* is :at has always be5 call$ idealism4 ,s t we might say1 )\t 9 any way play+ ^u ! mean+ ( ! words1 t realism is 9 ! "w :5 idealism is 9 ! s\l1 & t x is only ?r\gh ideality t we c resume contact ) reality4 ,dramatic art =ms no exception to ?is law4 ,:at drama goes =? to discov] & br+s to light1 is a deep-seat$ reality t is veil$ f u1 (t5 9 our own int]e/s1 by ! necessities ( life4 ,:at is ?is reality8 ,:at are ^! necessities8 ,poetry always expresses inw>d /ates4 ,b among/ ^! /ates "s arise ma9ly f contact ) our fell[-m54 ,!y are ! mo/ int5se z well z ! mo/ viol5t4 ,z contr>y electricities attract ea* o!r & accumulate betwe5 ! two plates ( ! cond5s] f :i* ! sp>k w pres5tly fla%1 s1 by simply br++ p toge!r1 /rong attractions & repulsions take place1 foll[$ by an utt] loss ( balance1 9 a ^w1 by t electrification ( ! s\l kn[n z passion4 ,7 man to give way to ! impulse ( 8 natural feel+s1 7 !re nei!r social nor moral law1 ^! outbur/s ( viol5t feel+ w\ld be ! ord9>y rule 9 life4 ,b utility dem&s t ^! outbur/s %\ld be =ese5 & av]t$4 ,man mu/ live 9 society1 & consequ5tly submit to rules4 ,& :at int]e/ advises1 reason comm&s3 duty calls1 & we h to obey ! summons4 ,"u ?is dual influ5ce has p]=ce be5 =m$ an outw>d lay] ( feel+s & ideas :i* make = p]man5ce1 aim at becom+ common to all m51 & cov]1 :5 !y are n /rong en\gh to ext+ui% x1 ! inn] fire ( individual passions4 ,! sl[ progress ( mank9d 9 ! direction ( an increas+ly peaceful social life has gradually consolidat$ ?is lay]1 j z ! life ( our planet itself has be5 "o long ef=t to cov] ov] ) a cool & solid cru/ ! fi]y mass ( see?+ metals4 ,b volcanic eruptions occur4 ,& if ! e>? 7 a liv+ be+1 z my?ology has feign$1 mo/ likely :5 9 repose x w\ld take delight 9 dream+ ( ^! sudd5 explosions1 :]eby x sudd5ly resumes possession ( its inn]mo/ nature4 ,su* is j ! k9d ( pleasure t is provid$ = u by drama4 ,b5ea? ! quiet humdrum life t reason & society h fa%ion$ = u1 x /irs some?+ )9 u :i* luckily does n explode1 b :i* x makes u feel 9 its inn] t5sion4 ,x (f]s nature h] rev5ge ^u society4 ,sometimes x makes /raight = ! goal1 summon+ up to ! surface1 f ! dep?s bel[1 passions t produce a g5]al upheaval4 ,sometimes x effects a flank movem5t1 z is (t5 ! case 9 contempor>y drama2 ) a skill t is frequ5tly sophi/ical1 x %[s up ! inconsi/5cies ( society2 x exagg]ates ! %ams & %ibbole?s ( ! social law2 & s indirectly1 by m]ely dissolv+ or corrod+ ! out] cru/1 x aga9 br+s u back to ! inn] core4 ,b1 9 bo? cases1 :e!r x weak5s society or /r5g!ns nature1 x has ! same end 9 view3 t ( lay+ b>e a secret portion ( ourselves1--:at might be call$ ! tragic elem5t 9 our "*4 ,?is is inde$ ! impression we get aft] see+ a /irr+ drama4 ,:at has j int]e/$ u is n s mu* :at we h be5 told ab\t o!rs z ! glimpse we h caught ( ourselves--a :ole ho/ ( gho/ly feel+s1 emotions & ev5ts t w\ld fa9 h come into real exi/5ce1 b1 =tunately = u1 did n4 ,x also seems z if an appeal _h be5 made )9 u to c]ta9 ance/ral memories belong+ to a f>-away pa/--memories s deep-seat$ & s =eign to our pres5t life t ?is latt]1 = a mom5t1 seems some?+ unreal & conv5tional1 = :i* we %all h to s]ve a fre% appr5tice%ip4 ,s x is inde$ a deep] reality t drama draws up f b5ea? our sup]ficial & utilit>ian atta9m5ts1 & ?is art has ! same end 9 view z all ! o!rs4 ,h5ce x foll[s t art always aims at :at is ,,individual4 ,:at ! arti/ fixes on 8 canvas is some?+ he has se5 at a c]ta9 spot1 on a c]ta9 day1 at a c]ta9 h\r1 ) a col\r+ t w nev] be se5 aga94 ,:at ! poet s+s ( is a c]ta9 mood :i* 0 81 & 8 alone1 & :i* w nev] return4 ,:at ! dramati/ unfolds be=e u is ! life-hi/ory ( a s\l1 a liv+ tissue ( feel+s & ev5ts--some?+1 9 %ort1 :i* has once happ5$ & c nev] be repeat$4 ,we may1 inde$1 give g5]al names to ^! feel+s1 b !y _c be ! same ?+ 9 ano!r s\l4 ,!y are ,,individualis$4 ,!reby1 & !reby only1 d !y belong to art2 = g5]alities1 symbols or ev5 types1 =m ! curr5t co9 ( our daily p]ception4 ,h[1 !n1 does a misund]/&+ on ?is po9t arise8 ,! reason lies 9 ! fact t two v diff]5t ?+s h be5 mi/ak5 = ea* o!r3 ! g5]ality ( ?+s & t ( ! op9ions we come to reg>d+ !m4 ,because a feel+ is g5]ally recognis$ z true1 x does n foll[ t x is a g5]al feel+4 ,no?+ c\ld be m unique ?an ! "* ( ,hamlet4 ,?\gh he may resemble o!r m5 9 "s respects1 x is cle>ly n on t acc\nt t he int]e/s u mo/4 ,b he is univ]sally accept$ & reg>d$ z a liv+ "*4 ,9 ?is s5se only is he univ]sally true4 ,! same holds good ( all ! o!r products ( art4 ,ea* ( !m is unique1 & yet1 if x be> ! /amp ( g5ius1 x w come to be accept$ by ev]ybody4 ,:y w x be accept$8 ,& if x is unique ( its k9d1 by :at sign d we "k x to be g5u9e8 ,evid5tly1 by ! v ef=t x =ces u to make aga9/ our pr$ispositions 9 ord] to see s9c]ely4 ,s9c]ity is contagi\s4 ,:at ! arti/ has se5 we %all probably nev] see aga91 or at lea/ nev] see 9 exactly ! same way2 b if he has actually se5 x1 ! attempt he has made to lift ! veil compels our imitation4 ,8 "w is an example :i* we take z a lesson4 ,& ! efficacy ( ! lesson is ! exact /&>d ( ! g5u95ess ( ! "w4 ,consequ5tly1 tru? be>s )9 itself a p[] ( conviction1 nay1 ( conv]sion1 :i* is ! sign t enables u to recognise x4 ,! great] ! "w & ! m pr(\nd ! dimly appreh5d$ tru?1 ! long] may ! effect be 9 com+1 b1 on ! o!r h&1 ! m univ]sal w t effect t5d to become4 ,s ! univ]sality "h lies 9 ! effect produc$1 & n 9 ! cause4 ,altoge!r diff]5t is ! object ( com$y4 ,"h x is 9 ! "w itself t ! g5]ality lies4 ,com$y depicts *>act]s we h already come across & %all meet ) aga94 ,x takes note ( simil>ities4 ,x aims at plac+ types be=e our eyes4 ,x ev5 creates new types1 if necess>y4 ,9 ?is respect x =ms a contra/ to all ! o!r arts4 ,! v titles ( c]ta9 classical com$ies are significant 9 !mselves4 ,le ,misan?rope1 l',av>e1 le ,j\eur1 le ,di/rait1 etc41 are names ( :ole classes ( p2 & ev5 :5 a "* com$y has a prop] n\n z its title1 ?is prop] n\n is spe$ily swept away1 by ! v weight ( its cont5ts1 into ! /ream ( common n\ns4 ,we say a ,t>tuffe1 b we %\ld nev] say a ,ph$re or a ,polyeucte4 ,above all1 a tragic poet w nev] ?9k ( gr\p+ ar\nd ! *ief "* 9 8 play second>y *>act]s to s]ve z simplifi$ copies1 s to speak1 ( ! =m]4 ,! h]o ( a trag$y repres5ts an individuality unique ( its k9d4 ,x may be possible to imitate him1 b !n we %all be pass+1 :e!r consci\sly or n1 f ! tragic to ! comic4 ,no "o is l him1 because he is l no "o4 ,b a rem>kable in/9ct1 on ! contr>y1 impels ! comic poet1 once he has elaborat$ 8 c5tral "*1 to cause o!r *>act]s1 display+ ! same g5]al traits1 to revolve z satellites r\nd him4 ,_m com$ies h ei!r a plural n\n or "s collective t]m z _! title4 ,les ,femmes savantes1 ,les ,precieuses ridicules1 ,le ,monde ou l'on s'ennuie1 etc41 repres5t s _m rally+ po9ts on ! /age adopt$ by diff]5t gr\ps ( *>act]s1 all belong+ to "o id5tical type4 ,x w\ld be int]e/+ to analyse ?is t5d5cy 9 com$y4 ,maybe dramati/s h caught a glimpse ( a fact rec5tly br\ght =w>d by m5tal pa?ology1 viz4 t cranks ( ! same k9d are drawn1 by a secret attraction1 to seek ea* o!r's company4 ,)\t precisely com+ )9 ! prov9ce ( m$ic9e1 ! comic individual1 z we h %[n1 is 9 "s way abs5tm9d$1 & ! transition f abs5t-m9d$ness to crank9ess is cont9u\s4 ,b !re is also ano!r reason4 ,if ! comic poet's object is to (f] u types1 t is to say1 *>act]s capable ( self-repetition1 h[ c he set ab\t x bett] ?an by %[+ u1 9 ea* in/ance1 sev]al diff]5t copies ( ! same model8 ,t is j :at ! naturali/ does 9 ord] to def9e a species4 ,he enum]ates & describes its ma9 v>ieties4 ,?is ess5tial diff]5ce betwe5 trag$y & com$y1 ! =m] be+ conc]n$ ) individuals & ! latt] ) classes1 is reveal$ 9 yet ano!r way4 ,x appe>s 9 ! fir/ draft ( ! "w4 ,f ! outset x is manife/$ by two radically diff]5t me?ods ( obs]vation4 ,?\gh ! ass]tion may seem p>adoxical1 a /udy ( o!r m5 is probably n necess>y to ! tragic poet4 ,we f9d "s ( ! great poets h liv$ a retir+1 homely sort ( life1 )\t hav+ a *ance ( witness+ ar\nd !m an outbur/ ( ! passions !y h s fai?fully depict$4 ,b1 suppos+ ev5 !y _h witness$ su* a spectacle1 x is d\btful :e!r !y w\ld h f\nd x ( mu* use4 ,= :at int]e/s u 9 ! "w ( ! poet is ! glimpse we get ( c]ta9 pr(\nd moods or inn] /ruggles4 ,n[1 ?is glimpse _c be obta9$ f )\t4 ,our s\ls are imp5etrable to "o ano!r4 ,c]ta9 signs ( passion are all t we ev] app]ceive ext]nally4 ,^! we int]pret--?\gh always1 by ! way1 defectively--only by analogy ) :at we h ourselves exp]i5c$4 ,s :at we exp]i5ce is ! ma9 po9t1 & we _c become ?or\ghly acqua9t$ ) any?+ b our own he>t--suppos+ we ev] get s f>4 ,does ?is mean t ! poet has exp]i5c$ :at he depicts1 t he has gone ?r\gh ! v>i\s situations he makes 8 *>act]s trav]se1 & liv$ ! :ole ( _! inn] life8 ,"h1 too1 ! biographies ( poets w\ld contradict su* a supposition4 ,h[1 inde$1 c\ld ! same man h be5 ,macbe?1 ,hamlet1 ,o!llo1 ,k+ ,le>1 & _m o!rs8 ,b !n a di/9ction %\ld p]haps "h be made betwe5 ! p]sonality ,,we ,,h & all ^? we might h _h4 ,our "* is ! result ( a *oice t is cont9ually be+ r5ew$4 ,!re are po9ts--at all ev5ts !re seem to be--all along ! way1 :]e we may bran* (f1 & we p]ceive _m possible directions ?\gh we are unable to take m ?an "o4 ,to retrace "o's /eps1 & foll[ to ! end ! fa9tly di/+ui%able directions1 appe>s to be ! ess5tial elem5t 9 poetic imag9ation4 ,( c\rse1 ,%akespe>e 0 nei!r ,macbe?1 nor ,hamlet1 nor ,o!llo2 /ill1 he ,,might ,,h ,,be5 ^! sev]al *>act]s if ! circum/ances ( ! case on ! "o h&1 & ! cons5t ( 8 w on ! o!r1 _h caus$ to break out into explosive action :at 0 no?+ m ?an an inn] prompt+4 ,we are /rangely mi/ak5 z to ! "p play$ by poetic imag9ation1 if we ?9k x pieces toge!r its h]oes out ( fragm5ts fil*$ f "r & left1 z ?\gh x 7 pat*+ toge!r a h>lequ9's motley4 ,no?+ liv+ w\ld result f t4 ,life _c be recompos$2 x c only be look$ at & reproduc$4 ,poetic imag9ation is b a full] view ( reality4 ,if ! *>act]s creat$ by a poet give u ! impression ( life1 x is only because !y are ! poet himself1--multiplication or division ( ! poet1--! poet plumb+ ! dep?s ( 8 own nature 9 s p[]ful an ef=t ( inn] obs]vation t he lays hold ( ! pot5tial 9 ! real1 & takes up :at nature has left z a m]e outl9e or sket* 9 8 s\l 9 ord] to make ( x a f9i%$ "w ( art4 ,altoge!r diff]5t is ! k9d ( obs]vation f :i* com$y spr+s4 ,x is direct$ outw>ds4 ,h[ev] int]e/$ a dramati/ may be 9 ! comic features ( human nature1 he w h>dly g1 ,i imag9e1 to ! ext5t ( try+ to discov] 8 own4 ,besides1 he w\ld n f9d !m1 = we are nev] ridicul\s except 9 "s po9t t rema9s hidd5 f our own consci\sness4 ,x is on o!rs1 !n1 t su* obs]vation mu/ p]=ce be practis$4 ,b x2 w1 = ?is v reason1 assume a "* ( g5]ality t x _c h :5 we apply x to ourselves4 ,settl+ on ! surface1 x w n be m ?an sk9-deep1 deal+ ) p]sons at ! po9t at :i* !y come into contact & become capable ( resembl+ "o ano!r4 ,x w g no f>!r4 ,ev5 if x c\ld1 x w\ld n desire to d s1 = x w\ld h no?+ to ga9 9 ! process4 ,to p5etrate too f> into ! p]sonality1 to c\ple ! out] effect ) causes t are too deep-seat$1 w\ld mean to endang] & 9 ! end to sacrifice all t 0 laughable 9 ! effect4 ,9 ord] t we may be tempt$ to laugh at x1 we mu/ localise its cause 9 "s int]m$iate region ( ! s\l4 ,consequ5tly1 ! effect mu/ appe> to u z an av]age effect1 z express+ an av]age ( mank9d4 ,&1 l all av]ages1 ?is "o is obta9$ by br++ toge!r scatt]$ data1 by comp>+ analog\s cases & extract+ _! ess5ce1 9 %ort by a process ( ab/raction & g5]alisation simil> to t :i* ! physici/ br+s to be> ^u facts ) ! object ( gr\p+ !m "u laws4 ,9 a ^w1 me?od & object are "h ( ! same nature z 9 ! inductive sci5ces1 9 t obs]vation is always ext]nal & ! result always g5]al4 ,& s we come back1 by a r\ndab\t way1 to ! d\ble conclusion we rea*$ 9 ! c\rse ( our inve/igations4 ,on ! "o h&1 a p]son is nev] ridicul\s except ?r\gh "s m5tal attribute resembl+ abs5t-m9d$ness1 ?r\gh some?+ t lives ^u him )\t =m+ "p ( 8 organism1 aft] ! fa%ion ( a p>asite2 t is ! reason ?is /ate ( m9d is obs]vable f )\t & capable ( be+ correct$4 ,b1 on ! o!r h&1 j because laught] aims at correct+1 x is exp$i5t t ! correction %\ld rea* z great a numb] ( p]sons z possible4 ,?is is ! reason comic obs]vation in/9ctively proce$s to :at is g5]al4 ,x *ooses su* peculi>ities z admit ( be+ reproduc$ & consequ5tly are n indissolubly b\nd up ) ! individuality ( a s+le p]son1--a possibly common sort ( uncommonness1 s to say1--peculi>ities t are held 9 common4 ,by transf]r+ !m to ! /age1 x creates works :i* d\btless belong to art 9 t _! only visible aim is to please1 b :i* w be f\nd to contra/ ) o!r works ( art by reason ( _! g5]ality & also ( _! sc>cely confess$ or sc>cely consci\s int5tion to correct & in/ruct4 ,s we 7 probably "r 9 say+ t com$y lies midway betwe5 art & life4 ,x is n dis9t]e/$ z g5u9e art is4 ,by organis+ laught]1 com$y accepts social life z a natural environm5t1 x ev5 obeys an impulse ( social life4 ,& 9 ?is respect x turns its back ^u art1 :i* is a break+ away f society & a return to pure nature4 ,,ii ,n[ let u see1 9 ! light ( :at has gone be=e1 ! l9e to take = creat+ an ideally comic type ( "*1 comic 9 itself1 9 its orig91 & 9 all its manife/ations4 ,x mu/ be deep-root$1 s z to supply com$y ) inexhau/ible matt]1 & yet sup]ficial1 9 ord] t x may rema9 )9 ! scope ( com$y2 invisible to its actual own]1 = ! comic ev] p>takes ( ! unconsci\s1 b visible to ev]ybody else1 s t x may call =? g5]al laught]1 extremely consid]ate to its own self1 s t x may be display$ )\t scruple1 b tr\blesome to o!rs1 s t !y may repress x )\t pity2 imm$iately repressible1 s t our laught] may n h be5 wa/$1 b sure ( reappe>+ "u fre% aspects1 s t laught] may always f9d some?+ to d2 insep>able f social life1 al?\gh insuff]able to society2 capable--9 ord] t x may assume ! greate/ imag9able v>iety ( =ms--( be+ tack$ on to all ! vices & ev5 to a good _m virtues4 ,truly a goodly numb] ( elem5ts to fuse toge!r6 ,b a *emi/ ( ! s\l1 entru/$ ) ?is elaborate prep>ation1 w\ld be some:at disappo9t$ :5 p\r+ out ! cont5ts ( 8 retort4 ,he w\ld f9d he _h tak5 a va/ deal ( tr\ble to comp\nd a mixture :i* may be f\nd ready-made & free ( exp5se1 = x is z widespread ?r\gh\t mank9d z air ?r\gh\t nature4 ,?is mixture is vanity4 ,probably !re is n a s+le fail+ t is m sup]ficial or m deep-root$4 ,! w\nds x receives are nev] v s]i\s1 & yet !y are seldom heal$4 ,! s]vices r5d]$ to x are ! mo/ unreal ( all s]vices1 & yet !y are ! v ones t meet ) la/+ gratitude4 ,x is sc>cely a vice1 & yet all ! vices are drawn into its orbit &1 9 proportion z !y become m ref9$ & artificial1 t5d to be no?+ m ?an a means ( satisfy+ x4 ,! outcome ( social life1 s9ce x is an admiration ( ourselves bas$ on ! admiration we ?9k we are inspir+ 9 o!rs1 x is ev5 m natural1 m univ]sally innate ?an egoism2 = egoism may be conqu]$ by nature1 :]eas only by reflection d we get ! bett] ( vanity4 ,x does n seem1 inde$1 z if m5 7 ev] born mode/1 unless we dub ) ! "n ( mode/y a sort ( purely physical ba%fulness1 :i* is ne>] to pride ?an is g5]ally suppos$4 ,true mode/y c be no?+ b a m$itation on vanity4 ,x spr+s f ! sight ( o!rs' mi/akes & ! dread ( be+ simil>ly deceiv$4 ,x is a sort ( sci5tific cauti\sness ) respect to :at we %all say & ?9k ( ourselves4 ,x is made up ( improvem5ts & aft]-t\*es4 ,9 %ort1 x is an acquir$ virtue4 ,x is no easy matt] to def9e ! po9t at :i* ! anxiety to become mode/ may be di/+ui%$ f ! dread ( becom+ ridicul\s4 ,b surely1 at ! outset1 ?is dread & ?is anxiety are "o & ! same ?+4 ,a complete inve/igation into ! illusions ( vanity1 & into ! ridicule t cl+s to !m1 w\ld ca/ a /range light ^u ! :ole !ory ( laught]4 ,we %\ld f9d laught] p]=m+1 ) ma!matical regul>ity1 "o ( its ma9 functions--t ( br++ back to complete self-consci\sness a c]ta9 self-admiration :i* is almo/ automatic1 & ?us obta9+ ! greate/ possible sociability ( *>act]s4 ,we %\ld see t vanity1 ?\gh x is a natural product ( social life1 is an inconv5i5ce to society1 j z c]ta9 slight poisons1 cont9ually secret$ by ! human organism1 w\ld de/roy x 9 ! long run1 if !y 7 n neutralis$ by o!r secretions4 ,laught] is unceas+ly do+ "w ( ?is k9d4 ,9 ?is respect1 x might be said t ! specific rem$y = vanity is laught]1 & t ! "o fail+ t is ess5tially laughable is vanity4 ,:ile deal+ ) ! comic 9 =m & movem5t1 we %[$ h[ any simple image1 laughable 9 itself1 is capable ( worm+ its way into o!r images ( a m complex nature & in/ill+ into !m some?+ ( its comic ess5ce2 ?us1 ! highe/ =ms ( ! comic c sometimes be expla9$ by ! l[e/4 ,! inv]se process1 h[ev]1 is p]haps ev5 m common1 & _m co>se comic effects are ! direct result ( a drop f "s v subtle comic elem5t4 ,= in/ance1 vanity1 t high] =m ( ! comic1 is an elem5t we are prone to look =1 m9utely ?\gh unconsci\sly1 9 e manife/ation ( human activity4 ,we look = x if only to laugh at x4 ,inde$1 our imag9ation (t5 locates x :]e x has no bus9ess to be4 ,p]haps we mu/ attribute to ?is s\rce ! altoge!r co>se comic elem5t 9 c]ta9 effects :i* psy*ologi/s h v inadequately expla9$ by contra/3 a %ort man b[+ 8 head to pass b5ea? a l>ge door2 two individuals1 "o v tall ! o!r a m]e dw>f1 gravely walk+ along arm-9-arm1 etc4 ,by scann+ n>r[ly ?is latt] image1 we %all probably f9d t ! %ort] ( ! two p]sons seems z ?\gh he 7 try+ ,,to ,,raise ,,himself to ! height ( ! tall]1 l ! frog t want$ to make itself z l>ge z ! ox4 ,,iii ,x w\ld be q impossible to g ?r\gh all ! peculi>ities ( "* t ei!r coalesce or compete ) vanity 9 ord] to =ce !mselves ^u ! att5tion ( ! comic poet4 ,we h %[n t all fail+s may become laughable1 & ev51 occasionally1 _m a good quality4 ,ev5 ?\gh a li/ ( all ! peculi>ities t h ev] be5 f\nd ridicul\s 7 drawn up1 com$y w\ld manage to add to !m1 n inde$ by creat+ artificial ones1 b by discov]+ l9es ( comic developm5t t _h hi!rto gone unnotic$2 ?us does imag9ation isolate ev] fre% figures 9 ! intricate design ( "o & ! same piece ( tape/ry4 ,! ess5tial condition1 z we "k1 is t ! peculi>ity obs]v$ %\ld /raightway appe> z a k9d ( ,,category into :i* a numb] ( individuals c /ep4 ,n[1 !re are ready-made categories e/abli%$ by society itself1 & necess>y to x because x is bas$ on ! division ( lab\r4 ,we mean ! v>i\s trades1 public s]vices & pr(essions4 ,ea* p>ticul> pr(ession impresses on its corporate memb]s c]ta9 habits ( m9d & peculi>ities ( "* 9 :i* !y resemble ea* o!r & also di/+ui% !mselves f ! re/4 ,small societies are ?us =m$ )9 ! bosom ( ,society at l>ge4 ,d\btless !y arise f ! v organisation ( ,society z a :ole4 ,& yet1 if !y held too mu* alo(1 !re w\ld be a risk ( _! prov+ h>mful to sociability4 ,n[1 x is ! bus9ess ( laught] to repress any sep>ati/ t5d5cy4 ,its function is to conv]t rigidity into pla/icity1 to readapt ! individual to ! :ole1 9 %ort1 to r\nd (f ! corn]s :]ev] !y are met )4 ,accord+ly1 we "h f9d a species ( ! comic ^: v>ieties might be calculat$ be=eh&4 ,?is we %all call ! ,,pr(essional ,,comic4 ,in/ead ( tak+ up ^! v>ieties 9 detail1 we pref] to lay /ress ^u :at !y h 9 common4 ,9 ! =efront we f9d pr(essional vanity4 ,ea* "o ( ,m4 ,j\rda9's tea*]s exalts 8 own art above all ! re/4 ,9 a play ( ,labi*e !re is a "* :o _c und]/& h[ x is possible to be any?+ else ?an a timb] m]*ant4 ,naturally he is a timb] m]*ant himself4 ,note t vanity "h t5ds to m]ge into ,,solemnity1 9 proportion to ! degree ( quack]y !re is 9 ! pr(ession "u consid]ation4 ,= x is a rem>kable fact t ! m que/ionable an art1 sci5ce or occupation is1 ! m ^? :o practise x are incl9$ to reg>d !mselves z inve/$ ) a k9d ( prie/hood & to claim t all %\ld b[ be=e its my/]ies4 ,useful pr(essions are cle>ly meant = ! public1 b ^? ^: utility is m dubi\s c only ju/ify _! exi/5ce by assum+ t ! public is meant = !m3 n[1 ?is is j ! illusion t lies at ! root ( solemnity4 ,almo/ ev]y?+ comic 9 ,moli]e's doctors comes f ?is s\rce4 ,!y treat ! pati5t z ?\gh he _h be5 made = ! doctors1 & nature h]self z an app5dage to m$ic9e4 ,ano!r =m ( ?is comic rigidity is :at may be call$ ,,pr(essional ,,call\sness4 ,! comic "* is s tightly jamm$ into ! rigid frame ( 8 functions t he has no room to move or to be mov$ l o!r m54 ,only call to m9d ! answ] ,isabelle receives f ,p]r9 ,d&91 ! judge1 :5 %e asks him h[ he c be> to look on :5 ! poor wret*es are be+ tortur$3 ,bah6 cela fait t\j\rs pass] une heure ou deux4 ,footnote3 ,bah6 x always helps to :ile away an h\r or two4 ,does n ,t>tuffe also manife/ a sort ( pr(essional call\sness :5 he says--x is true1 by ! m\? ( ,orgon3 ,et je v]rais m\rir fr]e1 enfants1 m]e et femme1 ,que je m'en s\ci]ais autant que de cela6 ,footnote3 ,let bro!r1 *ildr51 "m & wife all die1 :at %\ld ,i c>e6 ,! device mo/ 9 use1 h[ev]1 = mak+ a pr(ession ludicr\s is to conf9e x1 s to say1 )9 ! f\r corn]s ( its own p>ticul> j>gon4 ,judge1 doctor & soldi] are made to apply ! language ( law1 m$ic9e & /rategy to ! ev]yday affairs ( life1 z ?\gh !y _h became incapable ( talk+ l ord9>y p4 ,z a rule1 ?is k9d ( ! ludicr\s is r co>se4 ,x becomes m ref9$1 h[ev]1 z we h already said1 if x reveals "s peculi>ity ( "* 9 addition to a pr(essional habit4 ,we w in/ance only ,regn>d's ,j\eur1 :o expresses himself ) ! utmo/ orig9ality 9 t]ms borr[$ f gambl+1 giv+ 8 valet ! "n ( ,hector1 & call+ 8 betro!d ,pallas1 du nom connu de la ,dame de ,pique2 ,footnote3 ,pallas1 f ! well-kn[n "n ( ! ,que5 ( ,spades4 or ,moli]e's ,femmes savantes1 :]e ! comic elem5t evid5tly consi/s l>gely 9 ! translation ( ideas ( a sci5tific nature into t]ms ( fem99e s5sibility3 ,epicure me plait444 7,epicurus is *>m+71 ,j'aime les t\rbillons 7,i dote on vortices71 etc4 ,y h only to read ! ?ird act to f9d t ,arm&e1 ,philam9te & ,belise almo/ inv>iably express !mselves 9 ?is /yle4 ,proce$+ fur!r 9 ! same direction1 we discov] t !re is also su* a ?+ z a pr(essional logic1 i4e4 c]ta9 ways ( reason+ t are cu/om>y 9 c]ta9 circles1 :i* are valid = ^! circles1 b untrue = ! re/ ( ! public4 ,n[1 ! contra/ betwe5 ^! two k9ds ( logic--"o p>ticul>1 ! o!r univ]sal--produces comic effects ( a special nature1 on :i* we may advantage\sly dwell at great] l5g?4 ,"h we t\* ^u a po9t ( "s consequ5ce 9 ! !ory ( laught]4 ,we propose1 !re=e1 to give ! "q a wid] scope & consid] x 9 its mo/ g5]al aspect4 ,,iv ,eag] z we h be5 to discov] ! deep-seat$ cause ( ! comic1 we h s f> _h to neglect "o ( its mo/ /rik+ ph5om5a4 ,we ref] to ! logic peculi> to ! comic "* & ! comic gr\p1 a /range k9d ( logic1 :i*1 9 "s cases1 may include a good deal ( absurdity4 ,!ophile ,gauti] said t ! comic 9 its extreme =m 0 ! logic ( ! absurd4 ,m ?an "o philosophy ( laught] revolves r\nd a l idea4 ,e comic effect1 x is said1 implies contradiction 9 "s ( its aspects4 ,:at makes u laugh is alleg$ to be ! absurd realis$ 9 concrete %ape1 a palpable absurdity2--or1 aga91 an app>5t absurdity1 :i* we swall[ = ! mom5t only to rectify x imm$iately aft]w>ds2--or1 bett] /ill1 some?+ absurd f "o po9t ( view ?\gh capable ( a natural explanation f ano!r1 etc4 ,all ^! !ories may conta9 "s portion ( ! tru?2 b1 9 ! fir/ place1 !y apply only to c]ta9 r obvi\s comic effects1 & !n1 ev5 :]e !y d apply1 !y evid5tly take no acc\nt ( ! *>act]i/ic elem5t ( ! laughable1 t is1 ! ,,p>ticul> ,,k9d ( absurdity ! comic conta9s :5 x does conta9 some?+ absurd4 ,is an imm$iate pro( ( ?is desir$8 ,y h only to *oose "o ( ^! def9itions & make up effects 9 accordance ) ! =mula3 twice out ( e ?ree times !re w be no?+ laughable 9 ! effect obta9$4 ,s we see t absurdity1 :5 met ) 9 ! comic1 is n absurdity ,,9 ,,g5]al4 ,x is an absurdity ( a def9ite k9d4 ,x does n create ! comic2 r1 we might say t ! comic infuses into x its own p>ticul> ess5ce4 ,x is n a cause1 b an effect--an effect ( a v special k9d1 :i* reflects ! special nature ( its cause4 ,n[1 ?is cause is kn[n to u2 consequ5tly we %all h no tr\ble 9 und]/&+ ! nature ( ! effect4 ,assume1 :5 out = a c\ntry walk1 t y notice on ! top ( a hill some?+ t be>s a fa9t resemblance to a l>ge motionless body ) revolv+ arms4 ,s f> y d n "k :at x is1 b y beg9 to se>* among/ y\r ,,ideas--t is to say1 9 ! pres5t in/ance1 among/ ! recollections at y\r disposal--= t recollection :i* w be/ fit 9 ) :at y see4 ,almo/ imm$iately ! image ( a w9dmill comes into y\r m9d3 ! object be=e y is a w9dmill4 ,no matt] if1 be=e leav+ ! h\se1 y h j be5 read+ fairy-tales tell+ ( giants ) enorm\s arms2 = al?\gh common s5se consi/s ma9ly 9 be+ able to rememb]1 x consi/s ev5 m 9 be+ able to =get4 ,common s5se repres5ts ! endeav\r ( a m9d cont9ually adapt+ itself anew & *ang+ ideas :5 x *anges objects4 ,x is ! mobility ( ! intellig5ce con=m+ exactly to ! mobility ( ?+s4 ,x is ! mov+ cont9uity ( our att5tion to life4 ,b n[1 let u take ,don ,quixote sett+ out = ! w>s4 ,! romances he has be5 read+ all tell ( knights enc\nt]+1 on ! way1 giant adv]s>ies4 ,he !re=e mu/ ne$s enc\nt] a giant4 ,?is idea ( a giant is a privileg$ recollection :i* has tak5 its abode 9 8 m9d & lies !re 9 wait1 motionless1 wat*+ = an opportunity to sally =? & become embodi$ 9 a ?+4 ,x ,,is ,,b5t on ent]+ ! mat]ial _w1 & s ! v fir/ object he sees be>+ ! fa9te/ resemblance to a giant is inve/$ ) ! =m ( "o4 ,?us ,don ,quixote sees giants :]e we see w9dmills4 ,?is is comical2 x is also absurd4 ,b is x a m]e absurdity1--an absurdity ( an indef9ite k9d8 ,x is a v special inv]sion ( common s5se4 ,x consi/s 9 seek+ to m\ld ?+s on an idea ( "o's own1 in/ead ( m\ld+ "o's ideas on ?+s1--9 see+ be=e u :at we are ?9k+ (1 in/ead ( ?9k+ ( :at we see4 ,good s5se w\ld h u leave all our memories 9 _! prop] rank & file2 !n ! appropriate memory w e "t answ] ! summons ( ! situation ( ! mom5t & s]ve only to int]pret x4 ,b 9 ,don ,quixote1 on ! contr>y1 !re is "o gr\p ( memories 9 comm& ( all ! re/ & dom9at+ ! "* itself3 ?us x is reality t n[ has to b[ to imag9ation1 its only function be+ to supply fancy ) a body4 ,once ! illusion has be5 creat$1 ,don ,quixote develops x logically en\gh 9 all its consequ5ces2 he proce$s ) ! c]ta9ty & precision ( a somnambuli/ :o is act+ 8 dream4 ,su*1 !n1 is ! orig9 ( 8 delusions1 & su* ! p>ticul> logic :i* controls ?is p>ticul> absurdity4 ,n[1 is ?is logic peculi> to ,don ,quixote8 ,we h %[n t ! comic "* always errs ?r\gh ob/9acy ( m9d or ( disposition1 ?r\gh abs5tm9d$ness1 9 %ort1 ?r\gh automatism4 ,at ! root ( ! comic !re is a sort ( rigidity :i* compels its victims to keep /rictly to "o pa?1 to foll[ x /raight along1 to %ut _! e>s & refuse to li/54 ,9 ,moli]e's plays h[ _m comic sc5es c be r$uc$ to ?is simple type3 ,a ,,"* ,,foll[+ ,,up ,,8 ,,"o ,,idea1 & cont9ually recurr+ to x 9 spite ( incessant int]ruptions6 ,! transition seems to take place imp]ceptibly f ! man :o w li/5 to no?+ to ! "o :o w see no?+1 & f ?is latt] to ! "o :o sees only :at he wants to see4 ,a /ubborn _s ends by adju/+ ?+s to its own way ( ?9k+1 in/ead ( accommodat+ its ?\ghts to ! ?+s4 ,s e comic "* is on ! highroad to ! above-m5tion$ illusion1 & ,don ,quixote furni%es u ) ! g5]al type ( comic absurdity4 ,is !re a "n = ?is inv]sion ( common s5se8 ,d\btless x may be f\nd1 9 ei!r an acute or a *ronic =m1 9 c]ta9 types ( insanity4 ,9 _m ( its aspects x resembles a fix$ idea4 ,b nei!r insanity 9 g5]al1 nor fix$ ideas 9 p>ticul>1 are provocative ( laught]3 !y are diseases1 & ar\se our pity4 ,laught]1 z we h se51 is incompatible ) emotion4 ,if !re exi/s a madness t is laughable1 x c only be "o compatible ) ! g5]al heal? ( ! m9d1--a sane type ( madness1 "o might say4 ,n[1 !re is a sane /ate ( ! m9d t resembles madness 9 e respect1 9 :i* we f9d ! same associations ( ideas z we d 9 lunacy1 ! same peculi> logic z 9 a fix$ idea4 ,?is /ate is t ( dreams4 ,s ei!r our analysis is incorrect1 or x mu/ be capable ( be+ /at$ 9 ! foll[+ !orem3 ,comic absurdity is ( ! same nature z t ( dreams4 ,! behavi\r ( ! intellect 9 a dream is exactly :at we h j be5 describ+4 ,! m9d1 enam\r$ ( itself1 n[ seeks 9 ! out] _w no?+ m ?an a pretext = realis+ its imag9ations4 ,a confus$ murmur ( s\nds /ill rea*es ! e>1 col\rs ent] ! field ( vision1 ! s5ses are n completely %ut 94 ,b ! dream]1 in/ead ( appeal+ to ! :ole ( 8 recollections = ! int]pretation ( :at 8 s5ses p]ceive1 makes use ( :at he p]ceives to give sub/ance to ! p>ticul> recollection he fav\rs3 ?us1 accord+ to ! mood ( ! dream] & ! idea t fills 8 imag9ation at ! "t1 a gu/ ( w9d bl[+ d[n ! *imney becomes ! h[l ( a wild bea/ or a tuneful melody4 ,su* is ! ord9>y me*anism ( illusion 9 dreams4 ,n[1 if comic illusion is simil> to dream illusion1 if ! logic ( ! comic is ! logic ( dreams1 we may expect to discov] 9 ! logic ( ! laughable all ! peculi>ities ( dream logic4 ,"h1 aga91 we %all f9d an illu/ration ( ! law ) :i* we are well acqua9t$3 giv5 "o =m ( ! laughable1 o!r =ms t are lack+ 9 ! same comic ess5ce become laughable f _! outw>d resemblance to ! fir/4 ,inde$1 x is n difficult to see t any ,,play ,,( ,,ideas may af=d u amusem5t if only x br+ back to m9d1 m or less di/9ctly1 ! play ( dreaml&4 ,we %all fir/ call att5tion to a c]ta9 g5]al relaxation ( ! rules ( reason+4 ,! reason+s at :i* we laugh are ^? we "k to be false1 b :i* we might accept z true 7 we to he> !m 9 a dream4 ,!y c\nt]feit true reason+ j suffici5tly to deceive a m9d dropp+ (f to sleep4 ,!re is /ill an elem5t ( logic 9 !m1 if y w1 b x is a logic lack+ 9 t5sion &1 = t v reason1 af=d+ u relief f intellectual ef=t4 ,_m witticisms are reason+s ( ?is k9d1 consid]ably abridg$ reason+s1 ( :i* we are giv5 only ! beg9n+ & ! end4 ,su* play ^u ideas evolves 9 ! direction ( a play ^u words 9 proportion z ! relations set up betwe5 ! ideas become m sup]ficial3 gradually we come to take no acc\nt ( ! mean+ ( ! words we he>1 b only ( _! s\nd4 ,x might be in/ructive to comp>e ) dreams c]ta9 comic sc5es 9 :i* "o ( ! *>act]s sy/ematically repeats 9 a nons5sical fa%ion :at ano!r "* :isp]s 9 8 e>4 ,if y fall asleep ) p talk+ r\nd y1 y sometimes f9d t :at !y say gradually becomes devoid ( mean+1 t ! s\nds get di/ort$1 z x 71 & recomb9e 9 a haphaz>d fa%ion to =m 9 y\r m9d ! /range/ ( mean+s1 & t y are reproduc+ betwe5 y\rself & ! diff]5t speak]s ! sc5e betwe5 ,petit-,jean & ,! ,prompt]4 ,footnote3 ,les ,plaideurs 7,rac9e74 ,!re are also ,,comic ,,obsessions t seem to be> a great resemblance to dream obsessions4 ,:o has n _h ! exp]i5ce ( see+ ! same image appe> 9 sev]al successive dreams1 assum+ a plausible mean+ 9 ea* ( !m1 :]eas ^! dreams _h no o!r po9t 9 common4 ,effects ( repetition sometimes pres5t ?is special =m on ! /age or 9 fiction3 "s ( !m1 9 fact1 s\nd z ?\gh !y belong$ to a dream4 ,x may be ! same ) ! burd5 ( _m a song3 x p]si/5tly recurs1 always un*ang$1 at ! end ( e v]se1 ea* "t ) a diff]5t mean+4 ,n infrequ5tly d we notice 9 dreams a p>ticul> ,,cresc5do1 a weird effect t gr[s m pron\nc$ z we proce$4 ,! fir/ concession extort$ f reason introduces a second2 & ?is "o1 ano!r ( a m s]i\s nature2 & s on till ! cr[n+ absurdity is rea*$4 ,n[1 ?is progress t[>ds ! absurd produces on ! dream] a v peculi> s5sation4 ,su* is probably ! exp]i5ce ( ! tippl] :5 he feels himself pleasantly drift+ into a /ate ( blankness 9 :i* nei!r reason nor propriety has any mean+ = him4 ,n[1 consid] :e!r "s ( ,moli]e's plays w\ld n produce ! same s5sation3 = in/ance1 ,monsieur de ,p\rceaugnac1 :i*1 aft] beg9n+ almo/ reasonably1 develops into a sequ5ce ( all sorts ( absurdities4 ,consid] also ! ,b\rgeois g5tilhomme1 :]e ! diff]5t *>act]s seem to all[ !mselves to be caught up 9 a v :irlw9d ( madness z ! play proce$s4 ,if x is possible to f9d a man m completely mad1 ,i w g & publi% x 9 ,rome4 ,?is s5t5ce1 :i* w>ns u t ! play is ov]1 r\ses u f ! increas+ly extravagant dream into :i*1 along ) ,m4 ,j\rda91 we h be5 s9k+4 ,b1 above all1 !re is a special madness t is peculi> to dreams4 ,!re are c]ta9 special contradictions s natural to ! imag9ation ( a dream]1 & s absurd to ! reason ( a man wide-awake1 t x w\ld be impossible to give a full & correct idea ( _! nature to anyone :o _h n exp]i5c$ !m4 ,we allude to ! /range fusion t a dream (t5 effects betwe5 two p]sons :o h5ce=? =m only "o & yet rema9 di/9ct4 ,g5]ally "o ( ^! is ! dream] himself4 ,he feels he has n ceas$ to be :at he is2 yet he has become someone else4 ,he is himself1 & n himself4 ,he he>s himself speak & sees himself act1 b he feels t "s o!r he has borr[$ 8 body & /ol5 8 voice4 ,or p]haps he is consci\s ( speak+ & act+ z usual1 b he speaks ( himself z a /rang] ) :om he has no?+ 9 common2 he has /epp$ out ( 8 own self4 ,does x n seem z ?\gh we f\nd ?is same extraord9>y confusion 9 _m a comic sc5e8 ,i am n speak+ ( ,amphitryon1 9 :i* play ! confusion is p]haps sugge/$ to ! m9d ( ! spectator1 ?\gh ! bulk ( ! comic effect proce$s r f :at we h already call$ a reciprocal int]f]5ce ( two s]ies4 ,i am speak+ ( ! extravagant & comic reason+s 9 :i* we really meet ) ?is confusion 9 its pure =m1 ?\gh x requires "s look+ into to pick x out4 ,= in/ance1 li/5 to ,m>k ,twa9's replies to ! report] :o call$ to int]view him3 ,,"q4 ,isn't t a bro!r ( y\rs8 ,,answ]4 ,oh6 yes1 yes1 yes6 ,n[ y rem9d me ( x1 t ,,0 a bro!r ( m9e4 ,t's ,william--,,bill we call$ him4 ,poor old ,bill6 ,q4 ,:y8 ,is he dead1 !n8 ,a4 ,ah6 well1 ,i suppose s4 ,we nev] c\ld tell4 ,!re 0 a great my/]y ab\t x4 ,q4 ,t is sad1 v sad4 ,he disappe>$1 !n8 ,a4 ,well1 yes1 9 a sort ( g5]al way4 ,we buri$ him4 ,q4 ,,buri$ him6 ,,buri$ him1 )\t kn[+ :e!r he 0 dead or n8 ,a4 ,oh no6 ,n t4 ,he 0 dead en\gh4 ,q4 ,well1 ,i confess t ,i c't und]/& ?is4 ,if y buri$ him1 & y knew he 0 dead--,a4 ,no6 no6 ,we only ?\ght he 04 ,q4 ,oh1 ,i see6 ,he came to life aga98 ,a4 ,i bet he didn't4 ,q4 ,well1 ,i nev] he>d any?+ l ?is4 ,,somebody 0 dead4 ,,somebody 0 buri$4 ,n[1 :]e 0 ! my/]y8 ,a4 ,ah6 t's j x6 ,t's x exactly4 ,y see1 we 7 tw9s1--defunct & ,i1--& we got mix$ 9 ! ba?-tub :5 we 7 only two weeks old1 & "o ( u 0 dr[n$4 ,b we didn't "k :i*4 ,"s ?9k x 0 ,bill4 ,"s ?9k x 0 me4 ,q4 ,well1 t is rem>kable4 ,:at d ,,y ?9k8 ,a4 ,goodness kn[s6 ,i w\ld give :ole worlds to "k4 ,?is solemn1 ?is awful trag$y has ca/ a gloom ov] my :ole life4 ,b ,i w tell y a secret n[1 :i* ,i h nev] reveal$ to any creature be=e4 ,"o ( u _h a peculi> m>k1--a l>ge mole on ! back ( 8 left h&3 t 0 ,,me4 ,,t ,,*ild ,,0 ,,! ,,"o ,,t ,,0 ,,dr[n$6 444 etc41 etc4 ,a close exam9ation w %[ u t ! absurdity ( ?is dialogue is by no means an absurdity ( an ord9>y type4 ,x w\ld disappe> 7 n ! speak] himself "o ( ! tw9s 9 ! /ory4 ,x results entirely f ! fact t ,m>k ,twa9 ass]ts he is "o ( ^! tw9s1 :il/ all ! "t he talks z ?\gh he 7 a ?ird p]son :o tells ! tale4 ,9 _m ( our dreams we adopt exactly ! same me?od4 ,v ,reg>d$ f ?is latt] po9t ( view1 ! comic seems to %[ itself 9 a =m some:at diff]5t f ! "o we lately attribut$ to x4 ,up to ?is po9t1 we h reg>d$ laught] z fir/ & =emo/ a means ( correction4 ,if y take ! s]ies ( comic v>ieties & isolate ! pr$om9ant types at long int]vals1 y w f9d t all ! int]v5+ v>ieties borr[ _! comic quality f _! resemblance to ^! types1 & t ! types !mselves are s _m models ( imp]t95ce ) reg>d to society4 ,to ^! imp]t95ces society retorts by laught]1 an ev5 great] imp]t95ce4 ,s evid5tly !re is no?+ v b5evol5t 9 laught]4 ,x seems r incl9$ to return evil = evil4 ,b ?is is n :at we are imm$iately /ruck by 9 our fir/ impression ( ! laughable4 ,! comic "* is (t5 "o ) :om1 to beg9 )1 our m9d1 or r our body1 sympa?ises4 ,by ?is is meant t we put ourselves = a v %ort "t 9 8 place1 adopt 8 ge/ures1 words1 arid actions1 &1 if amus$ by any?+ laughable 9 him1 invite him1 9 imag9ation1 to %>e 8 amusem5t ) u2 9 fact1 we treat him fir/ z a playmate4 ,s1 9 ! laugh] we f9d a hail-fell[-well-met _s--z f>1 at lea/1 z appe>ances g--:i* x w\ld be wrong ( u n to take into consid]ation4 ,9 p>ticul>1 !re is 9 laught] a movem5t ( relaxation :i* has (t5 be5 notic$1 & ! reason ( :i* we mu/ try to discov]4 ,n[h]e is ?is impression m noticeable ?an 9 ! la/ few examples4 ,9 !m1 inde$1 we %all f9d its explanation4 ,:5 ! comic "* automatically foll[s up 8 idea1 he ultimately ?9ks1 speaks & acts z ?\gh he 7 dream+4 ,n[1 a dream is a relaxation4 ,to rema9 9 t\* ) ?+s & m51 to see no?+ b :at is exi/5t & ?9k no?+ b :at is consi/5t1 dem&s a cont9u\s ef=t ( intellectual t5sion4 ,?is ef=t is common s5se4 ,& to rema9 s5sible is1 inde$1 to rema9 at "w4 ,b to deta* oneself f ?+s & yet cont9ue to p]ceive images1 to break away f logic & yet cont9ue to /r+ toge!r ideas1 is to indulge 9 play or1 if y pref]1 9 dolce f> ni5te4 ,s1 comic absurdity gives u f ! outset ! impression ( play+ ) ideas4 ,our fir/ impulse is to jo9 9 ! game4 ,t relieves u f ! /ra9 ( ?9k+4 ,n[1 ! same might be said ( ! o!r =ms ( ! laughable4 ,deep-root$ 9 ! comic1 !re is always a t5d5cy1 we said1 to take ! l9e ( lea/ resi/ance1 g5]ally t ( habit4 ,! comic "* no long] tries to be ceaselessly adapt+ & readapt+ himself to ! society ( :i* he is a memb]4 ,he slack5s 9 ! att5tion t is due to life4 ,he m or less resembles ! abs5tm9d$4 ,maybe 8 w is "h ev5 m conc]n$ ?an 8 intellect1 & !re is n s mu* a want ( att5tion z a lack ( t5sion2 /ill1 9 "s way or ano!r1 he is abs5t1 away f 8 "w1 tak+ x easy4 ,he ab&ons social conv5tion1 z inde$--9 ! case we h j be5 consid]+--he ab&on$ logic4 ,"h1 too1 our fir/ impulse is to accept ! invitation to take x easy4 ,= a %ort "t1 at all ev5ts1 we jo9 9 ! game4 ,& t relieves u f ! /ra9 ( liv+4 ,b we re/ only = a %ort "t4 ,! sympa?y t is capable ( ent]+ into ! impression ( ! comic is a v fleet+ "o4 ,x also comes f a lapse 9 att5tion4 ,?us1 a /]n fa!r may at times =get himself & jo9 9 "s prank 8 *ild is play+1 only to *eck himself at once 9 ord] to correct x4 ,laught] is1 above all1 a corrective4 ,be+ int5d$ to humiliate1 x mu/ make a pa9ful impression on ! p]son aga9/ :om x is direct$4 ,by laught]1 society av5ges itself = ! lib]ties tak5 ) x4 ,x w\ld fail 9 its object if x bore ! /amp ( sympa?y or k9dness4 ,%all we be told t ! motive1 at all ev5ts2 may be a good "o1 t we (t5 puni% because we love1 & t laught]1 by *eck+ ! out] manife/ations ( c]ta9 fail+s1 ?us causes ! p]son laugh$ at to correct ^! fail+s & !reby improve himself inw>dly8 ,mu* might be said on ?is po9t4 ,z a g5]al rule1 & speak+ r\ghly1 laught] d\btless ex]cises a useful function4 ,inde$1 ! :ole ( our analysis po9ts to ?is fact4 ,b x does n !re=e foll[ t laught] always hits ! m>k or is inv>iably inspir$ by s5tim5ts ( k9dness or ev5 ( ju/ice4 ,to be c]ta9 ( always hitt+ ! m>k1 x w\ld h to proce$ f an act ( reflection4 ,n[1 laught] is simply ! result ( a me*anism set up 9 u by nature or1 :at is almo/ ! same ?+1 by our long acqua9tance ) social life4 ,x goes (f spontane\sly & returns tit = tat4 ,x has no "t to look :]e x hits4 ,laught] puni%es c]ta9 fail+'s some:at z disease puni%es c]ta9 =ms ( excess1 /rik+ d[n "s :o are innoc5t & sp>+ "s :o are guilty1 aim+ at a g5]al result & incapable ( deal+ sep>ately ) ea* individual case4 ,& s x is ) ev]y?+ t comes to pass by natural means in/ead ( happ5+ by consci\s reflection4 ,an av]age ( ju/ice may %[ itself 9 ! total result1 ?\gh ! details1 tak5 sep>ately1 (t5 po9t to any?+ b ju/ice4 ,9 ?is s5se1 laught] _c be absolutely j4 ,nor %\ld x be k9d-he>t$ ei!r4 ,its function is to intimidate by humiliat+4 ,n[1 x w\ld n succe$ 9 do+ ?is1 _h n nature implant$ = t v purpose1 ev5 9 ! be/ ( m51 a sp>k ( spitefulness or1 at all ev5ts1 ( mis*ief4 ,p]haps we _h bett] n inve/igate ?is po9t too closely1 = we %\ld n f9d any?+ v flatt]+ to ourselves4 ,we %\ld see t ?is movem5t ( relaxation or expansion is no?+ b a prelude to laught]1 t ! laugh] imm$iately retires )9 himself1 m self-ass]tive & conceit$ ?an ev]1 & is evid5tly dispos$ to look ^u ano!r's p]sonality z a m>ionette ( :i* he pulls ! /r+s4 ,9 ?is presumptu\sness we spe$ily disc]n a degree ( egoism &1 beh9d ?is latt]1 some?+ less spontane\s & m bitt]1 ! beg9n+s ( a curi\s pessimism :i* becomes ! m pron\nc$ z ! laugh] m closely analyses 8 laught]4 ,"h1 z else:]e1 nature has utilis$ evil ) a view to good4 ,x is m especially ! good t has engag$ our att5tion ?r\gh\t ?is "w4 ,we h se5 t ! m society improves1 ! m pla/ic is ! adaptability x obta9s f its memb]s2 :ile ! great] ! t5d5cy t[>ds increas+ /ability bel[1 ! m does x =ce to ! surface ! di/urb+ elem5ts insep>able f s va/ a bulk2 & ?us laught] p]=ms a useful function by emphasis+ ! =m ( ^! significant undulations4 ,su* is also ! truceless w>f>e ( ! waves on ! surface ( ! sea1 :il/ pr(\nd peace reigns 9 ! dep?s bel[4 ,! bill[s cla% & collide ) ea* o!r1 z !y /rive to f9d _! level4 ,a fr+e ( sn[-:ite foam1 fea!ry & frolicsome1 foll[s _! *ang+ outl9es4 ,f "t to "t1 ! rec$+ wave leaves beh9d a remnant ( foam on ! s&y bea*4 ,! *ild1 :o plays h>d by1 picks up a h&ful1 &1 ! next mom5t1 is a/oni%$ to f9d t no?+ rema9s 9 8 grasp b a few drops ( wat]1 wat] t is f> m bracki%1 f> m bitt] ?an t ( ! wave :i* br\ght x4 ,laught] comes into be+ 9 ! self-same fa%ion4 ,x indicates a slight revolt on ! surface ( social life4 ,x in/antly adopts ! *ang+ =ms ( ! di/urbance4 ,x1 also1 is afro? ) a sal9e base4 ,l fro?1 x sp>kles4 ,x is gaiety itself4 ,b ! philosoph] :o ga!rs a h&ful to ta/e may f9d t ! sub/ance is scanty1 & ! aft]-ta/e bitt]4 ,,! ,,end