Qualitative_data_analysis

MAKING CONNECTIONS 199
a consequence of the imbalance in power arising from their respective social roles. In
this way we can try to establish and account for the causal connection between the
two categories.
Finally, what of the connection between incongruity and cathartic humour? The
causal mechanism connecting these two categories (via ‘temperament’ and ‘suffering’)
centres on the dentist-patient relationship. However, we also have to consider
whether the categories may be connected in other ways. For example, does cathartic
humour which focuses on fears of the patient role depend for its effectiveness—as
humour —#8212;on the creation of incongruous images and absurd behaviour? Is
there a necessary connection between the two? Is there a contingent relation, such
that we laugh more readily at suffering in an incongruous context, but we might
laugh all the same? Do we laugh more readily at incongruity, when catharsis adds a
certain spice to the proceedings? Or is there no connection between the two at all?
Having established that there are some connections between transpositions of
temperament and patient suffering, these are issues which we can explore through a
thorough qualitative assessment of the data.
To offer one example, consider the connection between Vincent being ‘like a
nervous young dental student again’ and his ‘dropping swabs and mirrors’ in
Claire’s mouth. Does the incongruous image of Vincent as a nervous young dental
student make it easier for us to enjoy a laugh at the unfortunate result for Claire? I
think it does: if this incongruous image is removed, the event is less obviously
humorous. This interpretation is further reinforced by another incongruous image,
for Vincent exaggerates to the point of absurdity in claiming to drop impossibly
large objects into Claire’s mouth. The lack of realism reassures us that this episode did
not occur as narrated, and this makes it easier to find it funny. Now suppose
Vincent had dropped his swabs and mirrors on the floor, rather than in Claire’s
mouth. Once again, we may doubt whether this would have a similarly humorous
effect. The cathartic element seems important in giving a comic edge to the
incident, at least as it is narrated on paper. Now imagine a film version of this event.
On screen, it would be impossible (without special effects) to drop swabs and
mirrors into Claire’s mouth. However, the floor may do just as well, for on screen we
may identify more fully with Vincent and empathise more readily with his
embarrassment and clumsy gaucherie towards Claire. Here too, the effectiveness of
the humour may reside in its cathartic effect in relation to our own fears of
embarrassment and humiliation.
The technique we have used to explore this example is not unfamiliar— we
discussed ‘transposing data’ as a technique to enhance the interactive reading of
text. The same techniques can contribute to elucidating the existence and character
of connecting mechanisms.