Coherence and Conclusion: The Flawed Fabric of a Narrative's Happy Resolution
Because farce doesn’t hold coherence, changing the content can transform a comedy into a tragedy. "Happiest Season," a Christmas movie we watched yesterday, is a prime example. It's about two lesbians who attend a family Christmas, finding themselves in quintessential farcical scenarios. They must conceal their relationship, stealing kisses in secrecy, facing accusations of shoplifting, and enduring an over-the-top interrogation scene. The film crescendos into a grand farcical melee, with objects flying and a painting being smashed over someone's head.
However, the festive chaos transitions into a somber mood with a public coming out debacle, instigated by one sister and shamefully denied by the lesbian character, leading to a family rift. This tension is further escalated when the same sister announces her own divorce. The story seeks resolution, hastily achieved with the parents realizing that family unity is paramount. The film concludes with a picturesque family scene, now more inclusive. Got it. Yet, the traditional structure of a Christmas farce, when applied to a conventional family dynamic, usually leads to a happier resolution. In stark contrast, this resolution feels incomplete and distressing in the context of a lesbian relationship, especially when it involves one partner being forced back into the closet throughout the movie. This aspect highlights the accompanying traumas and complex self-censorship queer individuals often endure in societies that are only partially accepting.
In my opening statement, I claimed that farce lacks coherence and that changing its content affects the resolution. Reflecting on this, I realize my assertion wasn't entirely accurate. In storytelling, it's the narrative, rather than coherence, that holds primary importance. The movie exemplifies this, showing that while keeping the narrative structure intact, a change in context can significantly alter the resolution's effectiveness. This raises a question: Is this also true in logic? The answer is yes, particularly when the standards in question are not centered around validity.
Happiest Season shed light on why I've seldom found traditional patriarchal farces amusing. Shifting contexts within these narratives often reveals that what is presented as a happy resolution is, in fact, the end of a story steeped in sadness and trauma. The underlying issues, masked by humor and farcical elements, render these stories less comical to me. Ultimately, it highlights a profound truth: What constitutes a joke for some can be a source of misery for others.
