{"product_id":"9781472525086","title":"The Semiotics of Clowns and Clowning: Rituals of Transgression and the Theory of Laughter","description":"During 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\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.","brand":"Bloomsbury USA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47172169597168,"sku":"9781472525086","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781472525086_p0.jpg?v=1763598159","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781472525086","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}