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Li, Jun (2004) The paradox structure in humorous narrative: an analysis of intellectuals as comic heroes. Doctoral thesis, London Metropolitan University.
This thesis is to study certain humorous phenomena in several literary works written in different languages. The humorous texts chosen for analysis in this thesis are: 1) Candide written by the French writer Voltaire, published for the first time in French in 1759; 2) The British Museum is Falling Down written by the English writer David Lodge, published for the first time in English in 1965; and 3) Fortress Besieged written by the Chinese writer Qian Zhongshu, published for the first time in Chinese in 1947.
In these humorous texts, the comic heroes are all 'intellectual characters' sharing some common features. These characters are portrayed with an acute sense of humour and even bold self-mockery. Whether through the effect of joyful laughter or tearful laughter, these humorous texts tell the awkward but fascinating experiences of their heroes: their pursuit of higher-standard values and their final disappointment; their efforts and their failure; their disparagement as well as the beliefs they grudgingly hold in spite of their frustration. In each case, their intellectual adventures have influenced and indeed formed the contradictory personalities of these characters as presented in these humorous narratives.
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