'The Comic Mode' is an introductory guide to comedy in English literature that systematically applies comic theory to a wide range of texts including poetry, prose and drama. Beginning with a critical exploration of historical and philosophical theories of humour, the book goes on to apply those theories through close-readings of a wide range of major texts, authors and genres from the Medieval period to the present. The Comic Mode in English Literature examines such texts as: Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream; Pope's The Rape of the Lock; Austen's Emma; Dickens' The Pickwick Papers;...

From Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales to Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones's Diary, this is a comprehensive guide to comedy in the English literary canon. Beginning with a critical exploration of historical and philosophical theories of humour, the book then supplies close-readings of a wide range of major texts, authors and genres from the Medieval period to the present. The Comic Mode in English Literature examines such texts as: Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's DreamPope's The Rape of the LockAusten's EmmaDickens' The Pickwick PapersWilde's The Importance of Being EarnestAmis's Lucky Jim...