Einfalle, Zufalle, Ausfalle - Der Witz der Sprache in Bloomington, MN

The book offers close readings of texts from Jean Paul to Freud (as well as Gracian, Kleist, Sterne, Schlegel, Joyce). With its focus on the period from around 1800 to the beginnings of the 20th cent., it emphazises the joke as an event (of speech). Wit according to Jean Paul is a force that exceeds its description. It manifests itself in the play not only on words but also letters and even the written marks. With Freud, the joke then comes into view as a social process.