Burlesque in Literature: Creating and Critiquing

Introduction: Burlesque in Literature

Burlesque in literature is a satirical literary device characterized by the deliberate exaggeration and mockery of serious or highbrow subjects, often using humor and absurdity to subvert traditional literary forms.

Through its use of irony, caricature, and playful language, burlesque serves as a tool for social commentary and critique, allowing authors to challenge established norms and question societal values while entertaining readers with its subversive wit.

This literary technique has been employed by authors across different periods and genres, enhancing both the comedic and critical dimensions of their works.

Examples of Burlesque in Literature

1. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes: Cervantes’ masterpiece employs burlesque in literature to humorously deconstruct the theme of chivalric romance. Don Quixote’s misguided adventures and idealistic quests serve as a satirical burlesque of the romantic ideals prevalent in his time.
2. Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift: Swift’s satirical work uses burlesque in literature to sharply critique society and politics. Gulliver’s absurd encounters with the diminutive Lilliputians and the colossal Brobdingnagians provide a humorous burlesque of human nature and governance.
3. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll: Carroll’s classic employs burlesque in literature to parody Victorian society and literary norms. Alice’s surreal journey through Wonderland, replete with nonsensical characters and situations, offers a whimsical burlesque of the conventions of the era.
4. The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde: Wilde’s witty play is a prime example of burlesque in literature, satirizing the upper-class society of the Victorian period. The characters’ humorous misunderstandings and farcical predicaments reveal the absurdity of social affectations and the pursuit of earnestness.
5. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller: Heller’s novel effectively employs burlesque in literature to critique the bureaucracy and absurdity of war. The term “catch-22” itself symbolizes the paradoxical and irrational rules that ensnare soldiers in a nightmarish world, creating a darkly comedic burlesque of military life.
6. A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole: Featuring the eccentric character Ignatius J. Reilly, this novel offers a burlesque of American consumer culture and social norms. Through Ignatius’s idiosyncrasies and interactions with the quirky denizens of New Orleans, the book provides a contemporary example of burlesque in literature.

How to Create Burlesque in Literature

1. Select a Target: Choose a specific theme, subject, or societal norm to satirize or exaggerate. The target could be anything from traditional gender roles to political ideologies or everyday situations.
2. Exaggeration and Absurdity: Employ exaggeration and absurdity to make your point. Push the characteristics or elements of the target to the extreme, amplifying its flaws or peculiarities to create humor and irony.
3. Wordplay and Wit: Craft witty dialogue, wordplay, and clever language to enhance the comedic effect. Puns, double entendres, and clever phrasing can add layers of humor to your burlesque creation.
4. Characters and Settings: Develop characters and settings that fit the tone of your burlesque. Characters can be larger-than-life, eccentric, or satirical versions of real-life archetypes. The setting should complement the theme and contribute to the humor.
5. Satirical Commentary: Use your burlesque creation to provide satirical commentary on the target. Through humor, your work should shed light on the flaws, contradictions, or absurdities of the subject you are addressing, making a larger point while entertaining your audience.

Benefits of Using Burlesque in Literature

1. Satirical Critique: Burlesque allows authors to satirically critique societal norms, institutions, or behaviors. Through humor and exaggeration, it becomes an effective tool for shedding light on flaws or absurdities in a non-confrontational manner.
2. Engagement: Burlesque captivates readers through humor, irony, and the unexpected. It keeps readers engaged and entertained, making the text more accessible and memorable.
3. Reflecting Complexity: By employing burlesque, authors can explore complex ideas and themes while keeping the narrative approachable. It allows for the presentation of multi-layered concepts in an accessible manner.
4. Social Commentary: Burlesque often serves as a form of social commentary, making it an ideal vehicle for addressing important societal issues in a lighthearted way. It can provoke thought and discussion on these topics.
5. Unique Voice: Incorporating burlesque in literature adds a unique voice and style to a writer’s work. It distinguishes the writing and can attract readers who appreciate the blend of humor and insight.

Burlesque in Literary Theory

Theory	Critique of Burlesque in Literature
Formalism	Formalism focuses on the structural and stylistic elements of burlesque. Formalists analyze how exaggeration, wordplay, and satire contribute to the overall structure of a burlesque work. They examine the use of language and narrative techniques to create humor and parody within burlesque literature.
Marxist Criticism	Marxist critics investigate how burlesque reflects social class dynamics and power struggles. They might analyze how burlesque often targets the elites and exposes their excesses, using humor as a means of social critique within burlesque literature.
Feminist Criticism	Feminist literary theorists explore how burlesque can be used to challenge gender norms and stereotypes in burlesque literature. They might examine how female characters in burlesque challenge traditional roles through satire and irony, offering new perspectives on femininity within burlesque literature.
Postcolonialism	Postcolonial theorists consider how burlesque can be used to critique colonialism and imperialistic ideologies within burlesque literature. They might analyze how burlesque authors use humor to subvert the dominant discourse and reclaim agency in the face of colonial oppression within burlesque literature.
Reader-Response Theory	Reader-response theorists study how readers interpret and respond to burlesque elements in burlesque literature. They might investigate how different readers engage with humor and satire, exploring the various ways in which audiences interpret and find meaning in burlesque texts.
Deconstruction	Deconstructionists analyze how burlesque literature deconstructs conventional meanings and binaries. They might explore how burlesque destabilizes traditional categories, challenging readers to question established norms and hierarchies within burlesque literature.

Suggested Readings

1. Weldon, Jo. The Burlesque Handbook. HarperCollins, 2010.
2. Fahs, Breane. Performing Sex: The Making and Unmaking of Women’s Erotic Lives. Rutgers University Press, 2011.
3. Vida, Vandela. Girls on the Verge: Debutante Dips, Drive-bys, and Other Initiations. Viking, 1994.
4. Baldwin, Michell. Burlesque and the New Bump-n-Grind. Speck Press, 2004.
5. Miller, Robert K. Chicago Whispers: A History of LGBT Chicago before Stonewall. University of Wisconsin Press, 2012.
6. Rose, Phyllis. Jazz Cleopatra: Josephine Baker in Her Time. Vintage, 1989.
7. Robinson, Lillian. Wonder Women: Feminisms and Superheroes. Routledge, 2004.