Leticia Neria PhD thesis - Research@StAndrews:FullText ...

that is fictional. The way to achieve this is by using different mechanisms of humour,
which allow readers to understand that they are witnessing an act of humour. They help
the readers to deal better with the topics, despite their harshness, as seen in the section
entitled Speaking the Unspeakable.
We also saw how, by following the comic characters, the reader participates in
the expression of feelings and concerns, and even takes revenge on the oppressing
authorities. The characters from these three comics became the voice of those who
sought to complain about the social and political situation, but who lacked a voice to do
so. Characters in the comics thus became the spokespersons of the oppressed and an
important register for studying the contemporary social imaginary.
Through this examination we gain an understanding of how the image works in
combination with the humorous discourse to benefit the reader in different ways,
according to his/her worldview. Furthermore, we saw how they liberated their readers
without offering total freedom. We cannot change our reality permanently through
humour, but its benefits are undeniable.
Without a doubt, these comic books were a safe tribune for the people, a great
pleasure, although a cold carnival at the same time, and all at an affordable price.
Society could recognise itself in their pages, assume the role of the main characters,
enjoy the punishment of the oppressors, and all that without worrying about the fatality
of the cartoon characters or their ominous destiny.
Perhaps Doña Paquiderma, a character in La Familia Burrón was already ahead
of us. She said to Borola Burrón lucidly in one sentence what we have been discussing
in this chapter. When Borola made fun of Doña Paquiderma’s husband, she replied: ‘Es
que uste dice unas cosas que duelen muy feo, no mide su boca para decir sus
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