Irony and Black Humor in Bukowski's Hollywood and Pulp

Irony and Black Humor in Bukowski‟s Hollywood and Pulp: A Study of Linda Hutcheon‟s Two Postmodern Concepts [PP: 132-140] Zahra Notash Department of English Language, Faculty of Foreign Languages Islamic Azad University, Tehran Central Branch Tehran, Iran Zahra Bordbari (Corresponding Author) Department of English Language, Faculty of Foreign Languages Islamic Azad University, Tehran Central Branch Tehran, Iran ABSTRACT The present article tries to study irony and humor (black humor) in Charles Bukowski‟s Hollywood and Pulp in the light of Hutcheon‟s theoretical framework on the idea of playfulness to see how they could be interpreted in terms of postmodern fiction. The previous researchers have considered Bukowski‟s fictions; however, they did not regard them in respect of the concept of play. As a result, the aim of this study is to understand whether there is any relationship between Bukowski‟s ironical humorous language and Hutcheon‟s critical theories on irony and black humor as identifiable features of postmodern fiction or not? To achieve the end, the researcher is going to interpret these two novels‟ verbal ironies regarding Hutcheon‟s proposed ironic markers as well as the structural ironies and black humors with regard to the doctrines of the mentioned postmodern critic. Therefore, the analysis seems convincing enough not only to indicate the significant importance Hutcheon‟s critical theories on postmodernism, but also to claim that these two novels consist of the outstanding aspects of postmodern fiction including irony and black humor. Keywords: Linda Hutcheon, Postmodern Fiction, Irony, Black humor, Hollywood, Pulp ARTICLE The paper received on Reviewed on Accepted after revisions on INFO 18/10/2018 20/11/2018 30/12/2018 Suggested citation: 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.

1. Introduction playful by being ironical or using black What has attracted the attention of the humor (1988). current critics is the role of irony and humor Furthermore, Henry Charles Bukowski in representing serious and significant as the author of Hollywood and Pulp is a issues. Linda Hutcheon is one of the literary German-American prolific writer who critics who has emphasized on such a became an important literary figure in the specific role of humor. As a contemporary 1960s (Debritto, 2011:71). His literary Canadian postmodern critic and university works are surrounded through the themes of professor of English and Comparative corruption of capitalism, working-class Literature, she has extended her misery, boredom and absurdity, contributions to literary criticism by meaninglessness and unproductivity, theorizing and politicizing irony in her poverty, gambling, drinking, and on the famous book entitled Irony‟s Edge: The whole the failure of human relationships and Theory and Politics of Irony (1994). Indeed, the subsequent loneliness of individuals. this book might be considered as the basic Bukowski claimed that his novels are mostly theoretical framework of this article in autobiographical except the last one, Pulp. which the main focus is on verbal and His style of writing also resembles that of structural irony. However, Hutcheon‟s main Hemingway; it is simple, direct, reputation relies upon her critical theories on straightforward, and short. Apparently, postmodernism. In A Poetics of humor is the most remarkable element in his Postmodernism, she regards postmodern writings. In other words, he represented real fiction as being playful; and a work could be life events and the facts of city life in a

Irony and Black Humor in Bukowski‟s Hollywood and Pulp: A Study of Linda … Zahra Notash & Zahra Bordbari

comical and ironical manner which lead to Bukowski‟s autobiographical fictions in create hilarious moments for his readers. which the main character is himself; an Accordingly, Hollywood and Pulp as his last aging, alcoholic, ugly persona. Don adds two novels might not be exceptions of that Bukowski most of the time got trapped employing irony, black humor, and on the by excess of writing; the concept which whole the idea of playfulness. Therefore, the made him a prolific and sometimes even a present article aims to study Bukowski‟s last hyper-prolific author. two novels in the light of Hutcheon‟s critical Abel Debritto, on November 2017, theories of playfulness to see how they could also wrote an article entitled “Charles be interpreted in respect of postmodern Bukowski Wrote So Fast His Publisher fiction‟s characteristics. To achieve this end, Couldn‟t Keep Up,” discussing such a various verbal ironies that are recognized prolific American writer. In this article, the through Hutcheon‟s proposed ironic markers author describes Bukowski as a womanizer, together with structural ironies and black drinker and dirty old man who was humors existed in these two novels are going considered as a prolific author with just five to be analyzed with regard to Hutcheon‟s thousands poems. He adds that Bukowski discussed theories on irony and humor. But started to publish his works with the little before that, the novelty of the following magazine. article will also be investigated. Furthermore, Mark Conway wrote 2. Literature Review another article entitled “Charles Bukowski” Considering the previous studies on on July 2017. In this article, the author refers Charles Bukowski, previous research to Bukowski as a prolific poet, novelist, and conductors have mostly focused on the issue short story writer who depicted both beauty of genre and gender, alcoholism, female and brutality of the world. Then he adds that characters and characterization, his poetry, Bukowski became wealthy from his writings his autobiographical fictions, and the at the end of his life. He describes importance of risk in his literary works. In Bukowski‟s life with a great focus on how this case, the researcher provides the most he became a well-known author. According recent books, articles, and theses on Charles to him, Bukowski was highly influenced by Bukowski in the following: Ernest Hemingway because he read most of David Stephen Calonne wrote a book his literary works. entitled Charles Bukowski: Critical Lives in Another work on Bukowski is “The 2012. He provides both personal and Portrayal of Women in the Novels of professional information regarding his life Charles Bukowski,” an extended essay and describes the context in which each written by Jani Korhonen on 2006, in which books were written. He also adds that the author describes how Bukowski‟s Bukowski provided an original style as a attitude toward women has changed his mixture of lyric, violence, desperation, and a novels as a result of the feminist movements sense of humor throughout his career. to improve their position in the society. Charles Bukowski written by Gay Bukowski saw positive points about women Brewer in 1997 also could be considered as in Hollywood; however, he looked at them another critical overview on Bukowski‟s just as an object in his earlier novels. life. Although he set himself aside from The next article written on the author‟s Ernest Hemingway through using his sense work is William Anthony Nericcio‟s of humor, Brewer represents him more “Review of Pulp by Charles Bukowski” similar to Hemingway in the aspect of heavy (Autumn 1995) in which the author reliance on death, the male psyche, as well describes Bukowski‟s last novel as a pulp as dialogue. fiction and sometimes as a detective story The next one is Contemporary together with providing a brief summary on Novelists as a book edited by D. L. it. Moreover, Lauri Leinonen from Kirkpatrick. Jay Dougherty as the author University of Tamper submitted a thesis claims that Bukowski‟s style of writing like titled “„Magic and Terrible‟: Female Hemingway includes simplicity, directness, Characters and Characterization in Charles straightforward without using any literary Bukowski‟s Post Office, Factotum and devices. He also states that humor which Women” on April 2014. As the title shows, creates attraction is the most important the researcher analyzes female characters as element in his writing. flat; discussing how Bukowski characterized Don Strachan wrote an article entitled them. “Bukowski in Jet Stream of Words,” in In addition, Mike Ryan from 2018. In this article, Don refers to University of Louisiana in 2014 submitted a

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International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies (www.eltsjournal.org) ISSN:2308-5460 Volume: 06 Issue: 04 October-December, 2018 thesis titled “„no hope, just/booze and which is resulted in undermining or madness‟: Connecting Social Alienation and authorizing set of beliefs or principles. Alcoholism in Charles Bukowski‟s According to her, such capability is also Autobiographical Fiction.” In this study, derived from the need to treat irony as a Ryan explores social alienation as a result of discursive strategy (1994). alcoholism in five autobiographical novels In addition, she introduces two of Bukowski. participants involved in irony: „the ironist‟ Another instance is “„If you don‟t and „the intended audiences‟ (1994:10). gamble, you‟ll never win‟: The Importance However, sometimes the intended audiences of Risk in Charles Bukowski‟s Ham on Rye, fail to perceive the intended ironic meaning Factotum, Post Office, Women, and or even misinterpret it. In this case, she Hollywood,” a thesis submitted by Nathan proposes „the interpreter‟ along with „the Franklin from Middle Tennessee State ironist‟ as two active parts in production and University on 2013. Franklin focuses on the reception of irony (1994:11). Therefore, her risk of gambling as a motif in his already- main focus is on the interpreter rather than stated novels. the ironist unlike previous studies on irony. According to what have been said, it As far as the interpreter might also fail to could be inferred that the following make ironist‟s intended meaning, irony perspective on Bukowski‟s works especially absolutely is a risky business according to on his Hollywood and Pulp has been her. untouched by previous researchers. Another concept that has been Therefore, the scholar tries to add a new discussed by Hutcheon is emotional impact study on Bukowski‟s literary works through of irony that is referred to level of irritating, applying Hutcheon‟s critical theories of the mocking, attacking, as well as humiliating idea of playfulness on Hollywood and Pulp. and embarrassing level that irony is able to 3. Theoretical Framework: Hutcheon’s provide. Consequently, it might be inferred Theories on Irony and Humor that irony includes different affective As stated in the introduction, responses from anger to delight together Hutcheon as a postmodern critic who with various degrees of motivation from theorized irony in her Irony‟s Edge relies engaging to detaching emotion that would mostly on irony, humor (black humor), and not be separated from its political nature. on the whole the idea of playfulness as Therefore, depending on who uses irony and postmodern strategies and also the why (for what purpose) it is applied, it might remarkable characteristics of postmodern bring a wide range from anger to delight fiction. According to her, the definition of (1994). irony has been changed through times from Accordingly, Hutcheon proposes two “limited classical rhetorical trope” (1994:2) possible contradictory functions of irony that to “a more positive mode of artistic are derived from its transideological nature: expression with renewed power as an one is affirmative or constructive; and the engaged critical force, that is to say, as a other is destructive or negative. Affirmative rhetorical and structural strategy of or constructive function appears when irony resistance and opposition. In other words, is used as a weapon against an authority and irony today is neither trivial nor dominant power. In contrast, destructive trivializing.” (Hutcheon, 1992:11-12). function occurs in a position of being Apparently, Hutcheon‟s perspective on irony attacked or for those who expect absolute is distinct from its classical definition as a seriousness (1994:26). pessimistic and absurdist notion. In other Moreover, she insists on the words, irony is not that simple literary seriousness of irony: “Of course, even device; the capability which is called humorous ironies can be deadly serious” whether to beـpostmodern irony‟ in her Double Talking (1994:25). Seemingly, irony„ deals withـIndeed, irony has the ability to make humorous or absolute serious .(1992) people uneasy or put them at the level of seriousness and significance according to uncertainty; the process that not only is Hutcheon. For her, it is an appropriate way called „edge‟ by Hutcheon, but also makes it of being serious nowadays in order to show different from other figures of speech. an awareness of facts and actual incidents. Therefore, she concentrates on the There are also some functions/roles of irony „transideological‟ nature or politics of irony; known as communicative functions that that is to say irony might be used in political have been classified by Hutcheon in order to situations, dealing with variety of interests avoid any confusion in discovering ironical

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

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International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies (www.eltsjournal.org) ISSN:2308-5460 Volume: 06 Issue: 04 October-December, 2018 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

Irony and Black Humor in Bukowski‟s Hollywood and Pulp: A Study of Linda … Zahra Notash & Zahra Bordbari

Whereas Hutcheon presents multiple proposed ironic markers. In comparison to functions of irony, Bukowski‟s represented other signals, he mostly uses exaggeration, ironical utterances in Hollywood are no ellipsis, and changing tone of voice to give exception of following some of these hint the existence of ironical utterances to communicative functions. By concluding the the interpreter as one of his reader. For identified ironical utterances in the novel example, Chinaski states: “The business under study, it could be claimed that hasn‟t killed you yet” (Bukowski, Bukowski mostly operates the Ludic role 1989:138). Apparently, Bukowski operates and then the Assailing role of irony. For the exaggerated way of speaking with Hutcheon, these two functions include the changing from disappointment to delighted similarity of having playful teasing, except tone of voice in this ironical statement that is for the Assailing role which also includes said by his alter-ego to Hector Blackford. the corrective function of satiric irony: In addition to what has been already Another related and also relatively said, Hollywood includes some black benign function of irony would be the humorous contexts whose aims are to LUDIC. When viewed favorably, this is correct the existed deviations. Indeed, seen as the affectionate irony of benevolent Hutcheon regards black humor as a humor teasing; it may be associated as well with of deviations that is able to reform the humor and wit; of course, and therefore be existed inconsistencies and Hollywood is no interpreted as an estimable characteristic of exception of these humorous contexts. As playfulness. far as he represents Jon Pinchot‟s feeling of The next function is one that I have terror and being threatened by that unknown rather awkwardly called the ASSAILING person, privation and suffering of buying a one, because I want to be able to draw upon house caused by the capitalist society, as the meaning of its Latin root, assilire, to well as Friedman‟s cruel behavior to leap upon. Yet, there does exist what could subordinate Jon Pinchot and his team in the be interpreted as a positive motivation for form of black humor, it could be inferred “leaping upon” something, however that he tries to reform such deviations and vigorously, and that lies in the corrective lost norms. function of satiric irony, where there is a set As stated in the introduction, of values that you are correcting toward. Hutcheon considers irony, black humor, and (1994:46, 49-50) on the whole the idea of playfulness as Accordingly, Bukowski probably specific features of postmodern fiction. As intends to reform the existed deviations far as Bukowski also employs the idea of including the Hollywood absurd lifestyle as playfulness to some extent in this literary well as the represented relentless power work, it might be inferred that Hollywood is relations in the light of employing these two among other examples of postmodern fiction particular roles of irony. according to the critic. Therefore, As far as Hollywood‟s ironical Bukowski‟s playful language including both utterances based on the content of the novel humor and irony makes his Hollywood as a criticizes some issues regarding the postmodern fiction. Hollywood members and their futile way of 5. Ironical and Humorous Language in life as well as the existed power relations, it Pulp is obvious that the interpreter is better to be Bukowski‟s last novel, Pulp, revolves belonged to some certain discursive around Nick Belane as a private detective communities related to the discussed issues. who is trapped by some complicated cases. In other words, if the interpreter is a Initially, Lady Death asks him to find Celine participant in the film industry or even who was dead some years ago according to belongs to the minor groups in relation to Belane. Then, he has been asked to the dominant powers like Jon Pinchot and investigate some other similar cases like the his team as certain discursive communities, Red Sparrow or Jeannie Nitro that finally he/she gets a better comprehending of end in his death. Absolutely, this novel that Bukowski‟s ironical intents in this novel. is the only one in which the narrator is Nick Considering Bukowski‟s existed Belane rather than Bukowski‟s alter ego, verbal ironies in this novel, it could be stated Henry Chinaski, was published in 1994. that he uses both types of ironic signals Like previous section, studying Pulp‟s including Paralinguistic markers and the examples of playfulness including verbal mentioned categories of signals in and structural ironies together with black recognition of Hollywood‟s verbal ironical humorous contexts with regard to statements depending on Hutcheon‟s Hutcheon‟s critical perspective bring a series

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International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies (www.eltsjournal.org) ISSN:2308-5460 Volume: 06 Issue: 04 October-December, 2018 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

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 while he criticizes the convention of pulp http://oxfordre.com/literature/view/10.109 fiction writing, the absurdity of the modern 3/acrefore/9780190201098.001.0001/acref ore-9780190201098-e-603 world, the idea of death, as well as the destructive ideologies of capitalism in Pulp.

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International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies (www.eltsjournal.org) ISSN:2308-5460 Volume: 06 Issue: 04 October-December, 2018

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