The image of power and society presented on the chosen satirical and cabaret texts from period 1960-1980. An attempt to characterise the discourse and relation between power and society
The image of power and society presented on the chosen satirical and cabaret texts from period 1960-1980. An attempt to characterise the discourse and relation between power and society

Summary/Abstract: RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The aim of the article is to show the image of power and society present in satirical texts of the given period. Also the answer to the question: how did this image influence their mutual relation? THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: In the paper the following research problems are submitted: What image of power and society is being present in satirical texts of the given period? Did it have impact on their mutual relations? If this is the case – in what way and how did it influence the socio-political life of Poland? Having assumed that the analysis of the repeating metaphors, symbols, their meaning and dynamics helps to establish the image of power and society and their mutual relation, author utilises the methods of textual and discourse analysis in its sociological issue and literature analysis. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The starting point is to consider the integrating potential of laughter and to apply discourse analysis to discover meanings attributed to power and society and their dynamics in chosen satirical texts of the period. Three repeating metaphorical collocations – the role or proletariat and education in society, society’s growing helplessness and the reaction to the authorities’ language and censorship were presented in the article. RESEARCH RESULTS: The author aims at proving that satirical text of the given period contained a definite image of power and society, which weighted upon their mutual references. The recurring metaphorical collocations creating it led to deepening discord between those two entities. As an effect, this process may have triggered the socially integrating potential supporting the socio-political changes of 1980’s Poland. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Application of discourse analysis to other types of social communication. Forecasting social behaviour on basis of textual analysis of the modern forms of communications in its satirical version.

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