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Cite this article as: Notash, Z. & Bordbari, Z. (2018). Irony and Black Humor in Bukowski‟s Hollywood and
Pulp: A Study of Linda Hutcheon‟s Two Postmodern Concepts. International Journal of English Language &
Translation Studies. 6(4). 132-140.
Page | 134
Irony and Black Humor in Bukowski‟s Hollywood and Pulp: A Study of Linda … Zahra Notash & Zahra Bordbari
values and appropriateness. These functions sudden shocks in humorous and playful
include: Reinforcing role as the most basic manner in A Theory of Parody (1985:79).
function with less critical edge; Additionally, black humor like irony might
Complicating role that reflects richness of be considered as a form of resistance against
all art; Ludic role as the irony of teasing socio-political oppressions according to her.
associated with wit and humor; Distancing Thus, Doru Pop states: “As Linda Hutcheon
role which connotes the idea of indifference; has also put it, humor is about power
Self-Protective role that rejects any relationships, and in any “tensioned” critical
superiority; Provisional role which subverts context, the subversive nature of dark
any fixed position; Oppositional role that is humor, sometimes provides the only
mostly applied in race, class, gender, and possible form of resisting social oppression
sexuality; Assailing role as a destructive (1994)” (2014:160). Seemingly, Hutcheon
attack in order to have a corrective function; believes that dark humor along with irony,
as well as Aggregative role as a social both as a kind of humor, might be
function to include those who comprehend functioned in the form of resistance and
irony and exclude those who do not opposition while encountering social and
(1994:44-50). political oppressions. In this case, these
Unlike many theorists who believe kinds of humor have the capability to deal
that it is irony which creates a relationship with political situations and power relations
between ironist and interpreter, Hutcheon and could be considered as postmodern
claims that irony by itself needs a strategies. It might also be inferred that
community to happen. Indeed, such a Hutcheon has an optimistic attitude toward
community is called „discursive community‟ black humor comparing to previous critics.
by her that is: “the norms and beliefs that Indeed, critics mostly have relied on
constitute the prior understanding we bring pointlessness of life and helplessness of
to the utterance” (1994:137). It could be said modern man in defining black humor. For
that it refers to beliefs, expectations, instance, Soukhanove and et al. define black
knowledge, norms, habits, and even humor in The American Dictionary of The
communicative strategies that are shared in a English Language: “The juxtaposition, as in
specific group as initial understanding to writing or drama, of morbid or absurd
ironical utterances. As a result, irony as a elements with comical or facial ones,
social act needs a particular community not especially so as to produce a shocking or
only in comprehending ironic meaning, but disturbing effects” (1992:847). Accordingly,
also in its coming into being and enabling it previous critics rely on the pessimistic
to happen. Therefore, it could be inferred aspect of irony rather than on its
that the same discursive community in productivity like Hutcheon.
production and reception of irony might help 4. Function of Playfulness in Hollywood
the interpreter to get ironic meaning Hollywood as Bukowski‟s fourth novel
properly. was published in 1989. It is about
Another important Hutcheon‟s Bukowski‟s personal experience of writing
theories on irony is the need for existence of Barfly as the screenplay which is called The
ironic markers or signals. Indeed, these Dance of Jim Beam in the novel and the step
signals are employed by ironist as a clue to by step process of making it into a movie. In
give hint to interpreter in recognition of other words, it is about the complicated
irony (1994:144). She classifies these ironic process of making a film in Hollywood with
markers into two broad categories of all those difficulties and threats. Given the
„Paralinguistic or Paraverbal markers‟ and instances of playful utterances including the
„The five categories of signals‟. structural ironies and black humors together
„Paralinguistic markers‟ include Gestural with the identified verbal ironies through the
markers, Phonic markers, and some Graphic mentioned ironic markers that all derived
Punctuation signs. On the other hand, „The from Bukowski‟s Hollywood, it could be
five categories of signals‟ include inferred that Bukowski‟s intended audiences
exaggeration, literalization, repetition, are not only Barbet Shroeder along with
contradiction, various changes of register, other members of Hollywood but also the
and some other signals that later were added existed absolute powers throughout the
by her. novel as well as heavy drinkers. In fact,
Likewise, Hutcheon regards black Bukowski dedicates his novel to Barbet
humor as the most frequent form of satire Shroeder through which he determines his
that embodies corrective functions of main intended audience. Moreover, he
deviations, lost norms, lost confidence, entirely points to Hollywood and its
members through his ironical language in hardworking from the lower workers.
this novel. As far as he refers to the existed According to Hutcheon, the ironical
powers like Lido Mamin, Jean-Paul Sanrah, utterances related to the represented power
the community of whites, along with relations bring delight for the suppressed
Friedman and Fischman whose manner of like Jon Pinchot on the one hand, and bring
behaviors as the absolute authorities anger for the dominated existed powers
undermine and suppress their inferiors, the including Friedman and the community of
author also intends to make them as another whites on the other hand. Consequently,
intended audiences of the related ironies. these utterances also act affirmatively when
Additionally, Bukowski admires drinking they are used as a weapon against the
and considers it as an essential means in his absolute authorities; however, they have the
writing which leads to make barflies and capability of being destructive for the
heavy drinkers as the intended audiences of existed powers like the whites which put
some of his ironical utterances. them at the level of uncertainty. Besides the
Furthermore, Bukowski in Hollywood ironical utterances, the existed black humors
discusses political issues like race are also able to provide a form of resistance
discrimination or power relations through against the existed absolute powers
employing ironical and black humorous throughout the novel. As an example,
ways of speaking. As previously stated, Bukowski depicts the existed power relation
Hutcheon concentrates on the among Friedman and Pinchot as his
„transideological‟ nature of irony and relies inferiors:
on the role of black humor in political “I LOVE it when men work for NOTHING! I
situations to provide resistance against LOVE IT!”
existed social oppressions. In this novel, “But…this is not right…those men have worked
Bukowski reflects the problems of the for months! You must give them something!”
blacks as a result of race discrimination “All right, I‟ll give them 15 thousand…”
“Only 30 thousand, for all those months of
without giving any commentary or moral work?”
judgement about such a political issue: “In “No, the 15 thousand is for both of them…”
passage such as this, Chinaski adapts the “But this is impossible…”
role of an observer, recording what he sees “Nothing is impossible…” He looked at me:
without adding anything further that might “Who‟s this guy?”
suggest he was prepared to discuss the plight “He‟s the writer.”
of his neighbors in political terms. His “He‟s an old guy. He won‟t live long. I cut him
depiction of the poverty characterizing his 10 thousand…”
neighborhood is also noticeably free of “No, he‟s paid through me…”
moral judgement” (Bigna, 2005:141). “Then I cut you ten and you cut him ten.”
According to Daniel Bigna, it could be “Harry, stop it, please…” (1989:116)
inferred that Bukowski just wants to make In this black humorous context,
his intended audiences aware of such a Bukowski represents the cruelty of Friedman
problematic issue through his playfulness. as the existed power in filmmaking in which
For instance, Chinaski states in Hollywood: Pinchot‟s suffering is depicted absurd and
“My tax consultant had suggested I purchase pointless. Indeed, such a humorous context
a house, and so for me it wasn‟t really a bring a form of resistance against
matter of „white flight.‟” (Bukowski, Friedman‟s oppression as the dominant
1989:62). Through this ironical utterance, authority over Pinchot and his group.
the author as the ironist probably intends to In accordance with what has been said,
inform the problem of race discrimination it is clear that Bukowski proposes the
by keeping himself away from the complicated process of filmmaking in
community of cruel whites. Additionally, Hollywood, race discrimination, along with
Bukowski discusses Friedman as the existed the existed authorities and power relations
absolute power dominated through the with all their injustices and oppressions as
process of filmmaking, as well. According the existed serious issues through ironical
to the context of the novel, Friedman‟s cruel and humorous language in this novel relying
behavior as a financial backer of the film on the significant nature of playfulness. In
creates power relation in companion with this case, he reflects his awareness of the
Jon Pinchot and his team of shooting represented actual events and significant
through repeatedly cancelling the movie issues through his playful language rather
which reminds the picture of the capitalist than being trivial and ridiculous.
society in which the authority just expects
Cite this article as: Notash, Z. & Bordbari, Z. (2018). Irony and Black Humor in Bukowski‟s Hollywood and
Pulp: A Study of Linda Hutcheon‟s Two Postmodern Concepts. International Journal of English Language &
Translation Studies. 6(4). 132-140.
Page | 136
Irony and Black Humor in Bukowski‟s Hollywood and Pulp: A Study of Linda … Zahra Notash & Zahra Bordbari
of results which are going to be discussed in undermine the resulted ideologies of the
the following: capitalist society including the materialistic
Bukowski like any other ironist might view or the class conflict through such an
determine his intended audiences that should ironic language. In this case, it is obvious
be recognized in the first step of analysis that the existed ironic language regarding
process. At the beginning of Pulp, Bukowski capitalism as the power are able to destruct
states: “Dedicated to bad writing” (1994:6). the position of the capitalists. On the
Apparently, Bukowski introduces some of contrary, they have also capability of
his intended audiences through such a affirming the subordinates who are always
particular dedication together with choosing suppressed by these capitalists. Therefore,
„Pulp‟ for the name of his novel. Pulp‟s ironical utterances play a minor role
Furthermore, some reviewers regard this in the existed power relations comparing to
novel as a pulp fiction in which the author the previous novel.
criticizes the conventions of this specific As far as the critic insists on the
genre writing. Consequently, the author serious and significant role of irony and play
determines pulp fiction writers including in her theoretical framework, the author‟s
both detective and science fiction genre last novel might not be an exception of
writers as his initial intended audiences. In following such a critical theory. As
addition, he discusses futile lives of previously discussed, Bukowski proposes
individuals in today modern world from some serious issues consisting the
various aspects of life like solving detective convention of pulp fiction writing, the futile
cases, romantic relationships, and everyday life style in the modern world, the idea of
conversations with bartenders in ironical death, as well as the destructive ideologies
manner according to the content of the novel of capitalism through ironical and playful
under study. As a result, the modern language. For this reason, his employing
individuals who are trapped in the ironical and humorous utterances are not
represented futility might be regarded as mean to be insignificant and funny.
another part of Bukowski‟s intended Given various roles of irony arranged
audience. In addition to what have been said, by Hutcheon, the writer mostly operates the
Alex Thornber declares in his review: “The Ludic and Assailing roles of irony in using
looming nature of death is prevalent Pulp‟s verbal ironical statements like the
throughout this work. It is perhaps not previous novel. As Hutcheon claims that
surprising that Bukowski finished the novel these two functions include the similarity of
just before his death.” (2012:para.7). having playful teasing, except for the
Consequently, death as the dominant theme Assailing role which also includes the
is prevailed throughout the novel in the form corrective function of satiric irony, it is clear
of Lady Death or Jeannie Nitro. In this case, that Bukowski intends to highlight the
those who are near to death might be represented problems in subtle and witty
considered as another Bukowski‟s intended manner in order to provide an opportunity to
audiences. To conclude, Bukowski intends correct them. Consequently, the ironist aims
his ironical utterances to three particular to reform various issues like the
groups of pulp fiction writers, the modern psychological sufferings and chaotic
individuals, and those who are close to die. situation of the modern life, or the
Unlike the previous novel, this one destructive effects of capitalism through
deals less with political issues. In other employing these two functions.
words, Bukowski briefly criticizes the Relying on the important role of socio-
ideologies of the capitalist society as a kind cultural framing in comprehending ironic
of existed power relations through the ironic intent for Hutcheon, it is essential to
language of the narrator in this novel relying consider that the interpreter should be
on Hutcheon‟s role of irony in political belonged to what discursive communities in
situations and power relations. For instance, order to get the appropriate ironic meanings
Nick Belane says: “I always carried my existed in the mentioned novel. Since Pulp‟s
wallet in my left front pocket” (Bukowski, ironical statements are going to criticize the
1989:66). This statement is said ironical, conventions of pulp fiction writing and
dealing with the materialistic view of the capitalism along with the existed futility and
capitalist society in which money is just the idea of death, the interpreters should be
important to be considered rather than belonged to the related communities to get
humanistic values like establishing financial better comprehension of these ironic intents.
security. Apparently, the author tries to
Cite this article as: Notash, Z. & Bordbari, Z. (2018). Irony and Black Humor in Bukowski‟s Hollywood and
Pulp: A Study of Linda Hutcheon‟s Two Postmodern Concepts. International Journal of English Language &
Translation Studies. 6(4). 132-140.
Page | 138
Irony and Black Humor in Bukowski‟s Hollywood and Pulp: A Study of Linda … Zahra Notash & Zahra Bordbari
Now, what should be considered is to In this case, it is clear that in both novels he
determine which ironic markers Bukowski presents the political situations and power
mostly operates to make the interpreter relations through his ironical and humorous
aware of the existence of ironical utterances language.
in the novel under study. Considering the Relying on the issues he has discussed
existed verbal ironies in Pulp, the author in his novels, he determines the intended
mostly employs the Phonic marker of audiences of his ironical utterances. The
changing tone of voice, re-contextualizing Hollywood members especially Barbet
the familiar, as well as exaggeration in Shroeder, heavy drinkers, and the
comparison with Hollywood. In this case, community of absolute authorities like Lido
the traces of Hutcheon‟s proposed ironic Mamin or Harry Friedman are consequently
markers are obviously seen throughout this among Bukowski‟s intended audiences of
novel, as well. Hollywood‟s ironical language; however, the
In this interpretive level, some pulp fiction writers, the modern people, and
corrected inconsistencies through the existed those who are close to die are considered as
black humorous contexts of Pulp are going the intended audiences of his last novel. In
to be discussed. Relying on the content of addition, the author employs the Ludic and
the novel, these black humors refer to some Assailing functions of irony in both works
issues regarding high depression, fear, under study in order to reform the existed
threat, mental incapability, hopelessness, deviations. As a result, he intends to correct
betrayal, crime, murder, and on the whole the already-said inconsistencies through his
the chaotic and absurd situation of the black humorous contexts in his last two
modern life. Therefore, Bukowski makes his novels, as well. He also makes his readers
readers to think in order to reform the aware of the existed verbal ironies in respect
mentioned deviations and improve the of Hutcheon‟s ironic markers like
existed situation by presenting these exaggeration and changing tone of voice.
deviations in the form of black humor. Therefore, Bukowski‟s both discussed
As also mentioned in the introduction, literary works could be analyzed in the light
Hutcheon relies on the idea of playfulness as of Hutcheon‟s theories of irony and humor
remarkable aspect of postmodern fiction. and include the remarkable characteristics of
Accordingly, Bukowski‟s Pulp could be postmodern fiction.
considered as another instance of References:
postmodern fiction as far as the writer Bigna, D. (2005). Life on the margins: the
employs ironical and black humorous autobiographical fiction of Charles
contexts throughout the novel. By the idea Bukowski. University of New South
of playfulness, Bukowski intends to discuss Wales, Australian Defence Force
Academy, School of Humanities and
some serious issues as already said. In this Social Sciences.
case, the specific language of Pulp makes it Brewer, G. (1997). Charles Bukowski (No. 684).
as a remarkable example of postmodern Twayne Publishers.
fiction according to Hutcheon. Bukowski, C. (1989). Hollywood. Australia:
6. Sum Up HarperCollins.
To sum up, both Hollywood and Pulp Bukowski, C. (1994). Pulp. Australia:
as Bukowski‟s last two novels are HarperCollins.
considered as remarkable examples of Calonne, D. S. (2010). Charles Bukowski:
postmodern fiction in which the author Absence of The Hero. San Francisco,
employs the idea of playfulness including California: City Lights.
verbal and structural ironies as well as black Calonne, D. S. (2012). Charles Bukowski:
Critical Lives. London: Reaktion Books.
humorous contexts in proposing serious and Castle, G. (2007). The Blackwell Guide to
significant issues according to Hutcheon‟s Literary Theory. UK: Blackwell
theoretical framework. Looking more Publishing.
accurately and precisely, it could be inferred Charles Bukowski: 1920-1994. (2010).
that Bukowski discusses the complicated Retrieved from
process of filmmaking in Hollywood, the https//www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/ch
issue of race discrimination, along with the arles-bukowski/>.
existed power relations with all their Conway, Mark. (2017, 7). Charles Bukowski.
injustices and oppressions in his Hollywood, Retrieved from
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Cite this article as: Notash, Z. & Bordbari, Z. (2018). Irony and Black Humor in Bukowski‟s Hollywood and
Pulp: A Study of Linda Hutcheon‟s Two Postmodern Concepts. International Journal of English Language &
Translation Studies. 6(4). 132-140.
Page | 140