Reaching Two Different Audiences
Elf is one of my favorite Christmas movies, a classic from my childhood! I loved watching it as a kid and always thought it was so funny even after watching it numerous times! I do agree the superiority theory is used to portray humorous situations in this film. Buddy the Elf is a childlike character who's easy to laugh at because his actions can be seen as inferior to what is acceptable. I also think this is one of the reasons Elf succeeds in reaching both adult and child audiences. Adults via the superiority theory are able to laugh at the ridiculousness of Buddy's actions while children are able to laugh and continue to be entertained by the relatability of Buddy's actions. Without the sense of superiority for the audience and inferiority for Buddy the Elf, the movie might not have reached as wide of an audience. Furthermore, I think the incongruity theory may be utilized here also. Buddy the Elf's actions are far from how one would expect a middle-aged man to a...