The Comic in Literature as a General Systems Phenomenon

Authors

Vera Zubarev, University of PennsylvaniaFollow

Abstract

Vera Zubarev proposes in her article, "The Comic in Literature as a General Systems Phenomenon," that the definitions of and about aspects of dramatic genre are best articulated from the theoretical approach of systems theory. It is assumed that self-regulation is a basic element, that is, any object, any system or phenomenon has its own structure, fulfills its own function, performs its own process, has its own operator, and maintains its genesis. A number of new notions can be drawn from this proposition with regard to the concepts of potential in dramatic genre and the comic, as follows. 1) The core of dramatic genre is the degree of strength of protagonists' potential; 2) In accordance with 1), a new classification of genres follows as consisting of three types of potential (limited, average, powerful) which are assigned to three basic types: comedy (limited potential), dramedy (powerful potential), and drama (average / above average); each type is divided into further branches which are a combination of a type of ending (successful, unsuccessful / indefinite) and a type of potential (limited / average / powerful); 3) Differentiation is made between the notion of the comic and the laughable: here, the concept of the comic is linked to the limited potential and it has no relationship with laughter; and 4) Tragedy and comedy are not the opposite types of dramatic genre: tragedy is a branch of dramedy; a further branch is "succedy" while tragedy is opposed to sad comedy and succedy is opposed to funny comedy.

Recommended Citation

Zubarev, Vera. "The Comic in Literature as a General Systems Phenomenon." CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 1.1 (1999): <https://doi.org/10.7771/1481-4374.1001>

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