Monstrous M*A*S*H – Khaki Gothic and Comedy’

Swift, Sunday (2017) Monstrous M*A*S*H – Khaki Gothic and Comedy’. Gothic Studies, 19 (1). pp. 91-112. ISSN 1362-7937

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Abstract

On first glance, M*A*S*H (1972-1983) might not be the ideal text for Gothic analysis. Aesthetically, the traditional dark castles surrounded by black forests in the moonlight are replaced by muted khaki and green canvas Army tents. The tinny canned laughter punctuating the sardonic jokes echo longer than the terrified screams in the night. Gothic and war are uneasy bedfellows; it is the inclusion of comedy, however, that determines just how horrific the result can be. Using M*A*S*H as a primary example to explore what I refer to as ‘Khaki Gothic’, this paper will explore how, utilising Gothic tropes, comedy can disguise, diffuse and intensify the horrors of war.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Gothic Studies
Subjects:
?? gothicwarcomedytelevisionmashkhaki gothic gallows humourvietnamkorea ??
ID Code:
77994
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
25 Apr 2016 13:18
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
24 Mar 2024 00:46