No Laughing Matter: Holocaust Comedy

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorMehring, F.
dc.contributor.advisorMunteán, L.
dc.contributor.authorEekhout, C.F.L.
dc.date.issued2021-07-11
dc.description.abstractThis thesis provides an in-depth analysis of the American comedies Inglourious Basterds and Jojo Rabbit, and the German comedies Look Who’s Back and The Bloom of Yesterday. A theoretical framework on the definition of comedy, the American and German collective memory and the history of Holocaust comedies will be constructed in the first chapter. The four selected case studies will then be explored on formal structures of film that include camera angles, sound and mise en scene. After discussing these elements, the case studies will be analyzed with regard to its themes, symbols and characters. The aforementioned aspects will eventually lead to a description of the film directors’ representation of the collective Holocaust memory. Ultimately, the conclusion is drawn that all four movies include a critical note with regard to contemporary issues and connect the past with the present. Most specifically Look Who’s Back effectively connects Adolf Hitler with today’s issues such as xenophobia and right-wing extremism. The American comedies represent America’s collective Holocaust memory through over exaggerating and simultaneously ridiculing American and Nazi Germany stereotypes. By strengthening Jewish characters, the two American comedies express their discontent with the “passive Jew” stereotype. Inglourious Basterds additionally focuses upon Hollywood’s distinction between good and evil. The Bloom of Yesterday also criticizes the film industry, yet for its lack of recognizing and remembering German suffering after the war.en_US
dc.embargo.lift10000-01-01
dc.embargo.typePermanent embargoen_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://theses.ubn.ru.nl/handle/123456789/12325
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.thesis.facultyFaculteit der Letterenen_US
dc.thesis.specialisationTransnational America: Politics, Culture and Societyen_US
dc.thesis.studyprogrammeMaster North American Studiesen_US
dc.thesis.typeMasteren_US
dc.titleNo Laughing Matter: Holocaust Comedyen_US
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
Eekhout, Carien van 1030523.pdf
Size:
2.31 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
Collections
Faculteit der Letteren