<Articles>Penetrating Seriousness: The Joker in Stella Dallas

Abstract

In this paper I will discuss the role of an archetype known as the ‘joker', ‘trickster' or even the ‘fool'. To bring this role into focus I will look at Ed Munn's role in Stella Dallas, as he represents this joker persona. A joker is someone who is capable of mocking what society holds dear; he laughs at any display of seriousness. Most often, society avoids such people, but at same time there is the desire to have them around. If there is no one to make fun of society's actions then the society risks becoming a parody of itself. In such a state, the society becomes an ice sculpture we must tiptoe around. The role of the joker becomes crucial at this stage, as he is the only one capable of breaking this sculpture. He doesn't obey the rules and he doesn't shy away from making fun of the seriousness we attend to.