Post 5: Feminism and the female comic

Comedian is foreseen as an acceptable role for a feminist due to the fact that comedy is a medium that allows for social issues to be addressed in a lighthearted manner. Gilbert focuses in on female comedians such as Phyllis Diller and Roseanne Barr to convey how feminism and comedy intertwine. For instance, both women utilize self depreciation humor as a way to get their foot in the door. They then begin to use this style of humor to discuss and address feminism and various other social issues. According to Gilbert this self depreciation humor is a popular form for female comedians to employ in order to gain popularity.

However, while there might be feminist undertones to the comedy that Phyllis Diller, Roseanne Barr, and other female comics perform this does not necessarily mean that these women are feminists nor does it mean that all their comedy is directed at feminism. For example, the show Roseanne can be viewed from both ends of the spectrum. A person might argue that since Roseanne does not play into the traditional stereotypical role of what a mother, wife, sister, daughter should be then she takes a feminist stance. Likewise, the show can also be seen one that does not take a feminist perspective due to the fact that Roseanne answers to men in her jobs or at home and that while the role of mother and wife is skewed from what we might consider the traditional role to be she is performing essentially a similar role. Not to mention the show was produced and directed by her husband. While the show can be seen from either viewpoint over all it appears to touch on aspects of feminism rather than define itself as one or the other.

Female comedians such as Phyllis Diller, Joan Rivers, and Roseanne Barr aided in paving the way for future female comedians to address ideas of feminism and other social concerns. I often wonder if these female comedians realize or believe they are making connections to feminism or is they feel as though they are simply performing observational comedy. Ellen DeGeneres is an example of a female comedian who employs observational comedy. She has several bits in which she pokes fun at women and how women interact with one another and I wonder does she view this as comedy with feminist undertones or simply as observational comedy?

post 4: the art of expression

The art of expression essentially allowed for women to be groomed for society. Expression schools taught women how to behave as ladies and bred them to be débutantes. The article focuses primarily on the art of expression within Dallas which as we know is a predominantly wealthy city where families could afford to properly educate their daughters in the ways of society and how to act as a lady. While this occurred and still occurs nationally and globally it is a rite of passage for women in the south. Cities often still have a débutante season where women don large white dresses and are put on parade in order to show their transformation from girl to woman by simply learning the art of expression.

These expression schools appear to be nothing more than glorified manners school who educate young women on the Emily Post version of how a lady is to act. That is to say how a woman performs as a wife, mother, friend, how to carry oneself in social settings and the like. The only difference appears to be the débutante aspect; upon completion of the expression education women were given coming out parties in place of commencement ceremonies or rather these coming out parties were a new form for the commencement ceremony only with style and expression.

The art of expression in regards to women is still prevalent in our society. We see this not only with débutante festivals and parades; where I grew up we had the Rose Festival which showcased the transformation of girls to women of that specific year or more simply put débutante season. We see the art of expression currently in areas such as cheerleading, elementary education, dancers, and so on. While men dabble in the above mentioned areas they are fields still perceived as suitable for women and are considered feminine roles. The art of expression remains prevalent it has only gone through somewhat of a transformation itself.

Post 3: Carleton & Riley

Carleton and Riley addressed the psychological needs of their audience by creating an emotional connection. Through creating an emotional connection the poets attempted to create a tie between themselves and the average human being.This was accomplished by means of celebrating everyday experiences of the common person. Carleton and Riley's poetry mirrored that of the average individual's lifestyle, what some may consider mundane occurrences.

This style of poetry sought to move away from a high brow style and create a comfortable style as well as environment in order to entertain the common person. By distancing themselves from the traditional vernacular and moving towards a more readily understood language the average person was not only able to understand the poetry but feel connected to the poetry and the poets. This bond created comfortability between the audience and the performer.

Carleton and Riley can be seen as the stand up comedians of their day. This was accomplished not only by identifying with the average human but also by creating an atmosphere where laughter was acceptable. By striking the idea that performance must occur in a high brow style Carleton and Riley allowed for the average joe to feel as though their everyday experiences had value.

The Renaissance Man

Similar to the eras that came before the Medieval period storytelling continued to play a vital role in Medieval society. Castiglione considered an individual who possessed the ability to tell an amusing or engaging story as one who was well rounded. Castiglione coined the phrase Renaissance Man, which was one who possessed astounding social capabilities such as storytelling and conversation.

By this point in time many people were able to read, although the words fell flat on the page. Hence the need for the storyteller remained necessary within Medieval society, telling a story would breath life into it, create personalities for characters or force settings to intrude one's own reality for a short time, that is if the storyteller performed the job well. To tell or perform a good story or to carry on decent conversation was considered by to be the highest form of civility.

It was believed that one could be an excellent writer but a a terrible storyteller. Members of the medieval society felt that if an individual was unable to enact in decent conversation then you were not intelligent. Thus the reason for conversation as the highest form of civility. The Renaissance Man possessed all these qualities, he was well versed in current affairs, amusing, and quick on his feet. It is a phrase we continue to utilize today when we consider an individual to be well rounded.

History of Performance Studies Post 1

The Rhapsodes performed by means of narratoring or storytelling in the presence of an audience. Most often this occurred in proscenium style. Rhapsodes could sing as well as speak their text, the style they opted to deliver their text had the capability to alter the audience perception of the text as well as alter the delivery of the narration itself. In their article Hargis and Bahn discuss the verbal style of the Rhapsodes in order for readers to clearly understand the Rhapsode as a new form of storyteller and they deviations they made from storytellers who preceded them.

The Rhapsodes functioned within Greek society in order to reify the state as well as to educate or entertain those of status within the state. Within Roman society oral interpretation operated to entertain at gatherings. Written form was beginning to emerge within Roman society and became a dominant form of collecting information. Although, the oral style remained an intricate part of Roman society. As the oral style progressed so did language. The church often had a difficulty connecting with Anglo-Saxon individuals. Largely, this is due to to the church speaking Latin and the common person speaking the vernacular style. Thus, a linguistic connection for spreading Christianity could not be met. The church was also heavily invested in literacy while many individuals where not thus making the act of spreading Christianity all the more difficult. Literacy was a must in order for the church to endure.

It is arguable that we are in an age of renewed literacy or illiteracy depending or how you look at it. One could argue that the new bards are comedians such as Richard Prior. By means of utilizing new forms or variations of a known language and telling stories comedians appear to operate as the bard.