{"product_id":"the-semiotics-of-clowns-and-clowning-rituals-of-transgression-and-the-theory-of-laughter-9781472532787","title":"The Semiotics of Clowns and Clowning: Rituals of Transgression and the Theory of Laughter","description":"\u003cp\u003eDuring the last 300 years circus clowns have emerged as powerful cultural icons. This is the first semiotic analysis of the range of make-up and costumes through which the clowns' performing identities have been established and go on developing. It also examines what Bouissac terms 'micronarratives' - narrative meanings that clowns generate through their acts, dialogues and gestures. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003ePutting a repertory of clown performances under the semiotic microscope leads to the conclusion that the performances are all interconnected and come from what might be termed a 'mythical matrix'. These micronarratives replicate in context-sensitive forms a master narrative whose general theme refers to the emergence of cultures and constraints that they place upon instinctual behaviour. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFrom this vantage point, each performance can be considered as a ritual which re-enacts the primitive violence inherent in all cultures and the temporary resolutions which must be negotiated as the outcome. Why do these acts of transgression and re-integration then trigger laughter and wonder? What kind of mirror does this put up to society? In a masterful semiotic analysis, Bouissac delves into decades of research to answer these questions.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePaul Bouissac\u003c\/b\u003e is Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto (Victoria College), Canada. He is a world renowned figure in semiotics and a pioneer of circus studies. He runs the SemiotiX Bulletin [www.semioticon.com\/semiotix] which has a global readership.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Bloomsbury Academic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50504607400210,"sku":"9781472532787","price":58.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_37872c84-d793-49d3-9197-d27eec8a384b.jpg?v=1730823436","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-semiotics-of-clowns-and-clowning-rituals-of-transgression-and-the-theory-of-laughter-9781472532787","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}