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June 28, 2015
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35:00
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This example, the "All in All" segment, is one that shows us how Shearer goes about satire in his normal way. We see here, the sketches are distinct in that they are fictional, yet the purpose is to shine the truth behind the exaggerated fiction. This is the picture-perfect definition of satire that we layed out on the first page. A key difference between this form of satire and the dark humor is the use of exaggeration in relationship to language, which we can see in the examples highlighted in the other two episodes shown.
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Commentary |
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June 28, 2015
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53:40
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Here is the first comment we get from Shearer that attempts to add some humor. This is ultimately very interesting in that he is merely repeating the words, emphasizing the words, that the clergyman was using in his quote. This is similar to what we distinguished in the satire vs. dark humor discussion, as he isn't creating or using fiction to create some moral point, he is merely emphasizing something that has happened. It is also interesting due to the fact that I would be surprised if anyone would normally categorize that as a joke of "dark humor," but it does seem to hit the definition of "joking about cruelty."
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Commentary |
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March 24, 2013
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53:50
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This song would be considered "dark humor" based off of our distinction made on the previous page, as it clearly deals with the suffering of humans as well as the cruetly of others. The comedic affect is also through playing to emphasize the violence rather than pushing for a moral answer or way for reform, a common "family resemblance" that we discussed with satire.
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Commentary |
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March 24, 2013
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53:58
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This line is also striking in that Shearer makes a very borderline and taboo reference to the fact that deaf children can't hear, by also indicating that they can't "hear" the Priest coming to sexually abuse them. The situation seems more like an artisitc representation of how their hearing impediment reflects in their relationship to the Priests as children as well, typing together their identity as deaf persons as well as children.
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Commentary |
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March 24, 2013
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56:10
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"A shepherd with a closet full of toys" seems to be a reference to the themes that appear in many of the cases surrounding child sexual abuse towards deaf children. Much of what these Priests would say to the children is that the Priest was told by God to do what he would do, and that he would be a "teacher". Shearer seems to be tying here that he, playing the character of one of these molester Priests, thinks of himself as a shepherd, yet is obviously not fulfilling the duties of a shepherd, as his closet is filled with toys, seemingly pointing to the fact that the Priest is not being truthful about his intentions.
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Commentary |
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July 04, 2010
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47:30
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What is also interesting as we hear the lines "between me and the broom," we are starting to get pieces of imagery. This, unlike the comedy of repetition of news reports on this issue, is a literary creation of Shearer. Now, we are entering a different territory, not one that allows you to make fun of their own words, but one that uses your own words.
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Commentary |
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July 04, 2010
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47:42
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"And I can be loud" seems like a perfect line for us to truly disect this work as a work of dark humor. Not only is it true to the definition we saw as "joking about cruelty," but it also fits the bits of theory we saw by Breton. In a fictional piece, one that requires Shearer to write with his own words, how can he derive humor without exaggerating or making a show of the sexual abuse of these children? It seems here, whether entirely intentional or subconscious, Shearer makes the important decision to allow dark humor to emphasize the horrible nature of the events, since the play of words isn't possible due to it being his own.
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Commentary |
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July 04, 2010
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48:20
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When we get to the second part of the song, it is also immensely important to recognize that these numbers were included specifically for its relationship to truth. Were the song created for purely entertainment, the song would take the route of being the catchiest or the most shock-value ridden. Like we listened to in the transition from "News of the Godly" to "Deaf Boys," Shearer indicates here that what is most important in this structure is its ability to speak truth.
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Commentary |
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July 04, 2010
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50:00
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As we continue to hear him speak, we begin to realize a bit of the idea that it couldn't truly be possible for him to have gotten all of that information from the words of the abuser. This turns us to an important point for dark humor, especially in its relationship to fiction, or for continuity sake, fantasy. For satire, the fantasy shown is usually done as an exaggeration, whereas for dark humor, it is best shown through the emphasis of the real, the horrible. This idea alone gives us a great reason for why dark humor is necessary, as the ability to create gives us something more than just the reality of the horrible things in the world. With dark humor, we can create something that not only starts the conversation about these horrible things, but also gives a hand to our intellect in how these horrible things can be related to horrible ideas that supercede specific situations like power, innocence, truth, etc.
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Commentary |