The Kugelmass Episode Group

Question:

johnsonbb3
johnsonbb3
Student
High School - 12th Grade

What is a good essay over "The Kugelmass Episode"?

In "An Essay on Comedy," George Meredith said "The test of true comedy is that shall awaken thoughtful laughter. How does this apply to "The Kugelmass episode"?

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Posted by johnsonbb3 on Thursday January 15, 2009 at 10:22 AM and tagged with comedy, humor, kugelmass, the kugelmass episode, thought.

Answers:


  1. gbeatty Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor


    Ah, but I love this short piece! However, that wasn't the question. I'd say that a good essay could be built around the role of the comic, the literary, and of the farce, in contemporary society. If I had to state a thesis, I'd say that "The Kugelmass Episode" undercuts the possibility for any of them to play an active role of social critique. This is because Allen plays with ideas so much, ideas that are separate from reality. In that the piece undercuts the Meredith quotation you mention: this piece makes one laugh and think, but mostly about language and itself, and in doing so you cut yourself off from live and action (like Kugelmass in the story).

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/kugelmass-episode

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    Posted by gbeatty on Thursday January 22, 2009 at 5:17 PM