Formations of the Unconscious: The Seminar of Jacques Lacan,

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Formations of the Unconscious: The Seminar of Jacques Lacan, Book V

When I decided to explore the question of Witz, or wit, with you this year, I undertook a small enquiry. It will come as no surprise at all that I began by questioning a poet. This is a poet who introduces the dimension of an especially playful wit that runs through his work, as much in his prose as in more poetic forms, and which he brings into play even when he happens to be talking about mathematics, for he is also a mathematician. I am referring to Raymond Queneau. While we were exchanging our first remarks on the matter he told me a joke. Itâ€™s a joke about exams, about the university entrance exams, if you like.

We have a candidate and we have an examiner.

â€“ â€œTell meâ€, says the examiner, â€œabout the battle of Marengo.â€

The candidate pauses for a moment, with a dreamy air. â€œThe battle of Marengo...? Bodies everywhere! Itâ€™s terrible... Wounded everywhere! Itâ€™s horrible...â€

â€œButâ€, says the examiner, â€œCanâ€™t you tell me anything more precise about this battle?â€

The candidate thinks for a moment, then replies, â€œA horse rears up on its hind legs and whinnies.â€

The examiner, surprised, seeks to test him a little further and says, â€œIn that case, can you tell me about the battle of Fontenoy?â€

â€œOh!â€ says the candidate, â€œa horse rears up on its hind legs and whinnies.â€

The examiner, strategically, asked the candidate to talk about the battle of Trafalgar.

The candidate replies, â€œDead everywhere! A blood bath.... Wounded everywhere! Hundreds of them....â€

Â â€œBut my good man, canâ€™t you tell me anything more precise about this battle?â€

â€œA horse...â€ Â â€œExcuse me, I would have you note that the battle of Trafalgar is a naval battle.â€

â€œWhoah! Whoah!â€ says the candidate. â€œBack up, Neddy!â€ The value of this joke is, to my mind, that it enables us to decompose, I believe, what is at stake in a witticism.

(Extract from Chapter VI)
Country USA
Brand Polity
Manufacturer Polity
Binding Hardcover
ItemPartNumber 9780745660370
UnitCount 1
EANs 9780745660370
ReleaseDate 0000-00-00

Country	USA
Brand	Polity
Manufacturer	Polity
Binding	Hardcover
ItemPartNumber	9780745660370
UnitCount	1
EANs	9780745660370
ReleaseDate	0000-00-00

Formations of the Unconscious: The Seminar of Jacques Lacan, Book V

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