Humour in Comic Strips:
A pragmatic analysis of Nemi
Introduction
The saying that laughter is the
best medicine is considered to be one of the famous sayings in the world. With
these, different people especially in the art categories are trying to become as
humorous as they can to attract people and to make other people happy.
Accordingly, there are different kinds of humours which depend on the medium
used. It is considered that humorous texts are the most popular kind of humour
which deals with features and social categories which are typical to the
societies in the world. There are some humorous texts regarding gender, sex, and
age and this can be seen through mediums like books, cartoons and others. On the
other hand, there is also humour which is used in comic strips. There are two
types of comic strips. This includes the episode strip and the joke-strip. The
first is a chapter of a longer narrative strip and the other is a comic
situation in which a specific character plays a role and which is published in
various magazines or newspapers in a daily basis (Mendonca, 2002).
It can be said that the comic strip
functions can be the same to that of verbal and written humours or jokes in
which themes and strategies are continual. In terms of thematic approach, jokes
and comic strips usually address social taboos such as family values, sex and
others, social institutions as well as cultural representations like school,
church, government and others, human stereotypes such as the stupid, the dumb,
liar, foreigner, sexy lady, and others. In addition, some cognitive-linguistic
approaches are also shared by comic strips include exploitation of ambiguity and
unfitting expectations. For some comic strip makers, characters usually come
first, and then the theme. In this regard, once a specific character is
established, with character
is chosen or created, with distinct psychological characteristics, thematic
strategy will be next. For example, the rebel character of Kevin (Calvin),
Hagar’s stupid and rough character, political character of Mafalda and
chauvinistic personality of Bibelô who acts in various situations where their
personalities can be highlighted, within broad areas of themes. Even if the
situation differs for the cartoonists, for the linguists, approaches for
creating meaning are the one that matters. In comparing with the comic-strips
humours, the character’s reactions are highly predictable (Possenti, 1998),
because of their very well-distinguished personality.
In order to analyse
humour, this report will be provided. Primarily, the main goal of this essay is
to give a preliminary overview of humour, through the use of comic strips Nemi.
This paper will include the discussion on how humour has been used in Nemi. This
paper will give focus on how Nemi utilise humour in accordance with text
comprehension, humour and the unsaid, politeness and impoliteness, specifically
how the character (Nemi) use politeness. Furthermore, this paper will attempt
to discuss what this tells us about Nemi’s relationships and humour in the
character herself. Lastly, this paper will also provide discussion on how the
use how the use of politeness and impoliteness varies from character to
character, and the reasons for this variations.
Description of the Comic Strips:
Nemi
Nemi is a Norwegian
comic strip which is created by Lise Myhre in 1997. However, the first Nemi
strips was first appeared in Larson Gale Verden in 1999 and its first Nemi
strips collection came out during the summer of 2000. The comic strip is about a
woman (Nemi) about 25 years of age living in Norway with a very pale skin and
always wears black primarily because of her affiliations with Goth objects. The
comic strip depicts the outsider status of Nemi within the Norwegian society
because of her personality and physical appearance. Nemi is known to be a tough
girl with an attitude, she is frank in her opinions and a confrontational
individuals. In this study, 10 strips will be chosen to be analysed
pragmatically.
Comic Strip 1
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The first strip has been in a
situation where the lead character Nemi has seen a guy while walking on the
streets and exchanges their “hi” in a sexy manner. When they passed each
other, the two exhaled which shows their true appearance. In this strip, humour
is set through the use of illustrations alone. By exaggerating the feature of
the two characters, it gives the reader the perception that a person can do
everything just to attract others. In terms of the use of texts, the strip has
only used simple words which includes “hi” to show that each character in the
strip like each other and “phoo” a word which depicts how the two release
the air and show their true body built.
In this strip, the author is said
to use logical reasoning in the way she illustrates the characters. In terms of
politeness and impoliteness, it can be said that the particular strip have not
been able to show these two contexts, since there are not much dialogues used
and since the two characters are not really related to each other. In this
comic strip, gender identity is largely seen.
Comic Strip 2
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In terms of mechanism
of the comic strip, it can be said that this particular comic strip uses the
satire style, in which the author used to attack the character (Neri). In
addition, in terms of text, the author uses direct languages and texts which
show the intimacy of the character of the strips. Furthermore, the author has
also been able to use simple languages to be understood easily. The comic strip
is about two individuals who seem to be dating and find something that attracts
the lady’s attention.
It can be said that the comic
strip can be easily interpreted because of the logical situations in the strip.
In terms of politeness and impoliteness, it can be said that the comic strip
seems to use more of impoliteness than politeness. As Nemi ask the opinion of
the man regarding the eye glass that she wear and if it makes her smarter, the
man answers her in an impolite an indirect manner which is “not really”. This
word can be interpreted as a rude response specifically when it comes from a man
(Crawford, 1995), talking to a woman who usually needs praises than rude
answers.
Comic Strip 3
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The comic strip shows a situation
where Nemi is dating with a man and she is telling her feelings on the
situation. this strip is said to become funnier because of the logical
presentation of the theme. The comic strip’s mechanism is somewhat an irony as
Nemi is describing the man she is dating ironically. In addition, this comic
strip has been able to use parody as the cartoonists exaggerate the appearance
of the man Nemi is dating.
In terms of the texts use, the
author has used indirect language as Nemi is talking reversely on the man. In
addition, this strip is logical as it creates rational thinking on the part of
the reader. Herein, politeness contexts have been used, though very little, and
it also depicts impoliteness. Accordingly, politeness must be seen as a set of
approaches of verbal habits, on which in this case, Nemi judges the man
directly.
Comic Strip 4
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The mechanism of comic
strip is considered to be satire as Nemi tries to attack the blonde woman using
rude words and languages. Herein, the author used texts which depicts that some
of the characters are not related and close to each other ( in this case, the
blonde woman and Nemi). The comic strip is about three girls who are hanging out
in a bar, when Nemi (the main character) decided to go home because she cannot
be beside a woman who talks things that do not make appeal on her like make-ups.
Herein, instead of feeling offended, the blonde woman has reacted reversely as
she felt that Nemi praises her.
This is a funny strip since it
makes the reader think that the woman is stupid on not knowing the real feeling
of Nemi about her. The comic strip uses logical reasoning in line with the
notion on how Nemi got so bored, which is because they have different
personalities.
Comic Strip 5
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The mechanism of comic strip is
considered to be a humour of the absurd. This is said so because the comic strip
have not been able to follow the rules of logic.In addition, the mechanism of
the comic strip above is also considered as a farce humour, since it presents
Cyan as the victim of the situation. Herein, the author used text which shows
the closeness and intimacy of Cyan and Nemi with each other. The humorous texts
used is also considered to use organize text to understand completely the
conversation between Cyan and Nemi.
The comic strip is about two girls
in which one is afraid of spider and the other has the courage to hold the
spider (Nemi). In this strip, it can be seen that scared reaction of Cyan as she
screamed that there is a spider hanging near her. Since Nemi is fond of spiders
she offered Cyan that she can take the spider away in one condition, that is,
when the former will give Nemi a chocolate. Cyan did give Nemi a chocolate but
she realise the Nemi has put the spider in the bedroom and Nemi offers to take
it away, of course with a connotation that she’ll take it in one condition.
This is a funny strip since you
can see how Nemi can play with the feelings and emotions of her friends when it
came to creepy animals. The comic strip has been able to provide background
knowledge from the first strip and logical reasons until the last part of the
strip. In terms of politeness, it can be seen that this comic strip has used
politeness, in the part of Nemi as she offered to take away the spider and in
the part of Cyan as she requests Nemi to take the spider.
Comic Strip 6
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The mechanism of comic strip is
considered to be Parody as the author exaggerated how Nemi reads the book. It
can be said that the comic strip have used texts which are long and narrative
texts. As can be seen in the strip, Nemi is reading a story to a girl before
sleeping. Having an attitude of her own, instead of reading the story as it is,
Nemi has created a story out of what she is reading which gets the attention of
the girl who is sleepy. As she hears what Nemi said, her eyes become bigger,
knowing that Nemi is not reading through the texts in the book. In this comic
strip, it can be said that the author has used some background knowledge on a
story and use this in the strip. On the other hand, the strip has followed
logical reasoning from the first to the second part. In terms of politeness and
impoliteness, it can be said that there is no trace of this context in this
particular strip.
Comic Strip 7
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The mechanism of comic strip is
considered to be irony, as Nemi is telling things to the man in a reverse
manner. Caricature is also used as a mechanism for humour in this comic strip as
it shows some exaggeration on the facial expression of Nemi as she is trying to
convince the man to have his tattoo. Herein, the author used texts which are
simple and exclamatory texts. In addition, the strip also used juxtaposition.
Herein, the comic strip is about how Nemi is forcing or influencing the man on
having a tattoo even if he is underage.
Nemi is using words to influence
the man, and she make herself an example to convince him have his tattoo even if
his father do not allow him to have it until he is 18.
The comic strip has been able to
use chronological and logical reasoning which allows the reader to understand
where the strip is coming from. In this text, there is not much politeness and
impoliteness context seen.
Comic Strip 8
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The mechanism of comic strip is
considered to use parody and caricature style. Parody because the strip have an
exaggeration of the style and the characters, which is shown on the face,
specifically in the huge smile of the man who approaches Nemi. On the other
hand, this comic strip uses caricature in both texts and illustrations as the
author provided unpleasant reactions from Nemi, because of the fact that he does
not know where he met the man. The texts used in this strip are simple yet
irrational. It uses combinations of simple and long sentences. The comic strip
is about a man who approaches a girl whom he thought he knew. But Nemi is
confused on whether he knew the man. The man hugged the girl as if they were
closed, but after a while, the man asked if Nemi is Rita, which caused
embarrassment for the man and Nemi.
It can be said that the comic
strip is illustrated and written in chronological and logical order and have an
effective background of knowledge. In terms of politeness and impoliteness, it
can be said that the comic strip can be considered to depict politeness as Nemi
has not scolded the man even if she really doesn’t know him. She also reacts
politely as the man approaches him.
Comic Strip 9
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The mechanism of comic strip is
considered to utilise caricature and parody style. This is because of the
exaggerations on the face of the male character and the exaggeration of Nemi’s
face, especially when the male character killed the spider. As we all know, Nemi
is fond of spiders and she is sensitive when it comes to killing insects. The
comic strip uses texts which are narrative and imperative. In addition, the
comic strip also used exclamatory sentences.
The comic strip is
about Nemi and a man, in which Nemi told the man not to kill the spider for it
will bring bad karma. However, instead of following Nemi, he killed the spider
and he said that bad karma only happens when one believe it. In return, Nemi
punches the man in the eye and said that she believe in karma.
It can be said that this particular
strip follows some background knowledge regarding karma and it also follows
logical reasoning on why Nemi punished the man. In this strip, the politeness
and impoliteness have not been used intensely.
Comic Strip 10
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The mechanism of comic strip above
can be considered as irony as Nemi is saying things which are in contrast to the
true meaning of the words. In this comic strip, the author uses short and long
sentences and in some part, no texts are used. The humorous texts used is also
considered be in order to easily get the meaning of what they are saying.
The comic strip is about Nemi and
her friend Cyan and Nemi is telling her friend that she wants a child. Through
the reaction of Cyan, it shows that she is hesitant with what Nemi is saying,
but she still gives her advice. However, it shows some misinterpretations as
Cyan interpreted Nemi’s words wrongly. What Nemi wants is to have a free ticket
to action towers and not to have a child of her own.
This is a funny strip since you
can see how Nemi made her friend surprised with her desires of having a child
just because she wants a free ticket. It can be said that the strip has been
able to provide background knowledge from the first part of the strip and
logical reasons until the last part of the strip. In line with politeness and
impoliteness, there is not much about these contexts in this comic strip.
Conclusion
It can be said that the
study of humour gives an excellent region of consciousness in as much as it
depicts to a very complicated experience. Herein, it can be said that the comic
strip Nemi has been able to provide humorous texts and sceneries which made it
more appealing to the readers. Although there are some strips that is not that
humorous, these strips is still seems to lighten the mood of the reader because
of the funny graphics and facial expressions of the characters. Some of the
strips from Nemi have used the contexts of politeness while some have not
considered it. Furthermore, it can be said also that most of the strips followed
satire, irony, parody, and caricature as their mechanisms in depicting humorous
events.
Reference
Crawford, M. (1995) Talking
Difference: On Gender and Language, London, Sage
Mendonca, M.R.S. (2002). Um gênero
quadro a quadro: a história em quadrinhos.
In DIONISIO, A., MACHADO, A. R. e
BEZERRA, M. A. Gêneros textuais e ensino.
Rio de Janeiro: Lucerna,
Possenti, S. (1998).
Os humores da língua: análise
lingüística de piadas. São
Paulo: Mercado de Letras,
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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