Oring's Observations:
Oring's analysis of "The businessman and his secretaries" joke indicates
that there certainly is more than one way a joke can be viewed. In past
classes I have noticed that students tended to view the joke according
to such criteria as their own experiences, gender, and education. For example,
the numskull riddle joke: "Why did the moron throw a clock out the window?"
(he wanted to see time fly), may well make many chuckle. On the other hand,
if your child suffered from a severe learning difficulty, you might see
this riddle joke as a shallow and hurtful put-down of the less fortunate.
This insight is especially important when trying to discover the identity
of the victim in the joke, for sometimes the identity of the victim easily
escapes our awareness. Anyway, take a careful look at Oring's insightful
observations:
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The joke is a hostile expression that denigrates women by transforming
them exclusively into sexual objects through coarse reference to their
anatomies.
-
The joke is meant to stimulate and arouse through an allusion to the omnipresence
of sexual forces and by the direct reference to specific sexual features.
-
The joke is meant to ridicule males who allow sexual impulses to overpower
critical reason and judgment.
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The joke is meant to celebrate male sexuality and the male dedication to
sexual pursuit in all circumstances and climes no matter how unsuitable.
As such it is an affirmation of sexuality and the "lust for life."
