San Sombrèro: A Land of Carnivals, Cocktails and Coups: Henri Bergson's Theory of Laughter and the Problems of Travel Guide Humour

Author: Fraser, Benjamin¹

Source: Journeys, Volume 8, Numbers 1-2, Summer/Winter 2007 , pp. 117-127(11)

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Abstract:

Although fictional places have certainly been the hallmark of great literature (William Faulkner, Gabriel García Márquez, Juan Benet), a recent travel guide to the fictional land of 'San Sombrèro' shows that their manifestation in popular culture can be questionable. A Bergsonian reading (Laughter, 1900) of the guide's attempt to pair humour with contrived exoticism yields more discomfort than laughs.

Keywords: FICTIONAL PLACES; TRAVEL GUIDES; LATIN AMERICA; HENRI BERGSON; HUMOUR

DOI: 10.3167/jys.2007.08010207

Affiliations: 1: Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures, Christopher Newport University

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