89 lines
3.5 KiB
Plaintext
89 lines
3.5 KiB
Plaintext
THESES ON GROUCHO MARXISM
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by Bob Black
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1
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Groucho Marxism, the theory of comedic revolution, is much more than a
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blueprint for crass struggle: like a red light in a window, it
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illuminates humanity's inevitable destiny, the *declasse* society.
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G-Marxism is the theory of *permanent revelry.* (Down boy! There, that's
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a good dogma.)
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2
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The example of the Marx Brothers themselves shows the unity of Marxist
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theory and practice (for instance, when Groucho insults somebody while
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Harpo picks his pocket). Moreover, Marxism is dialectical (isn't Chico
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the classic dialect comedian?). Comedians who fail to synthesize theory
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and practice (not to mention those who fail to sin at all) are
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un-Marxist. Subsequent comedians, failing to grasp that separation is
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"the discrete charm of the bourgeoisie," have lapsed into mere pratfalls
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on the one hand, and mere prattle on the other.
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3
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Because G-Marxism is practical, its achievements can never be reduced to
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mere humor, entertainment, or "art." (The aesthetes, after all, are less
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interested in the appreciation of art than in art that appreciates.)
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After a genuine Marxist sees a Marx Brothers movie, he tells himself: "If
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you thought that was funny, take a look at your life!"
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4
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Contemporary G-Marxists must resolutely denounce the imitative, vulgar
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"Marxism" of the Three Stooges, Monty Python, and Bugs Bunny. Instead of
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vulgar Marxism, we must return to authentic *Marxist vulgarity.*
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Rectumfication is likewise in order for those deluded comrades who think
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"the correct line" is what the cop makes them walk when he pulls them over.
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5
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Class-conscious Marxists (that is, Marxists who are conscious that they
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have no class) must spurn the anemic, trendy, narcissistic "comedy" of
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comedic revisionists like Woody Allen and Jules Feiffer. Already the
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comedic revolution has superseded mere neurosis--it's ludic but not
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ludicrous, discriminating but not discriminatory, militant but not
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military, and adventurous but not adventurist. Marxists realize that
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today you have to look into a funhouse mirror to see the way you really are.
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6
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Although not entirely lacking in glimmers of Marxist insight, socialist
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(sur)realism must be distinguished from G-Marxism. It is true that
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Salvador Dali once gave Harpo a harp made out of barbed wire; however,
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there is no evidence that Harpo ever played it.
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7
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Above all, it is essential to renounce and revile all comedic
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sectarianism such as that of the equine Trots. As is well-known, Groucho
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repeatedly proposed sex but opposed sects. For Groucho, there was a
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difference between being a Trot and being hot to trot. Further, the
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Trot slogan "Wages for Horsework" smacks of reform, not revelry. Trot
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efforts to claim _A Day at the Races_ and _Horsefeathers_ for their
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tendency must be indignantly rejected; in truth, _National Velvet_ is
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more their speed.
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8
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The burning issue confronting G-Marxists today is *the party question,*
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which--naive, reductionist "Marxists" to the contrary--is more than just
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"Why wasn't I invited?" That never stopped Groucho! Marxists need their
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own disciplined vanguard party, since they're rarely welcome at anybody
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else's.
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9
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Guided by the Marxist leader-dogmas of *misbehaviorism* and *hysterical
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materialism,* inevitable the masses will embrace, not only G-Marxism, but
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also each other.
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10
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Groucho Marxism, then, is the *tour de farce* of comedy. As Harpo is
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reliably reported to have said:
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" "
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In other words, comedy is riotous or it is nothing! So much to do, so
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many to do it to! On your Marx, get set--go!
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