THE ANALYSIS OF HUMOROUS NARRATIVES

This paper presents a method for the analysis of humorous texts larger than jokes. The method consists of the General Theory of Verbal Humor augmented by a component to handle the narrative aspects of the texts . Specifically, the following tools are introduced: jab and punch line s, macro- and micro-narratives, levels of narrative (metanarratives), strands of lines, stacks of strands, and intertextual jokes. Art exten ded example from a sitcom is analyzed and some speculations on further research are offered. A postscriptum discusses some theoretical issue s left in the background for simplicity's sake.