Chapter 2. The Technique of Jokes of Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious - Study Guide by Sigmund Freud

10. Freud cites a final type of 'indirect representation' used by jokes - the use of analogy. However Freud advocates caution in this group, since often, on closer examination, the joking can be seen, to arise, not from the analogy itself, but from a subsidiary characteristic. Another group of analogies, containing striking juxtapositions, or absurd combinations etc. are termed 'jokes' but again whether the analogy or a subsidiary characteristic is responsible for the joke is uncertain. e.g. Lichtenberg's analogy between reading and eating - "He thought very highly of learning at home, and was therefore entirely in favour of learned stall-feeding". But Freud concludes that despite these uncertain cases, some analogies can be jokes in their own right. However the decision whether something is a joke or not -i.e. what it is that makes it pleasurable or not - is harder to determine in this joke-technique than others.

In summary of his findings so far, Freud, accepts that it is possible that a/some techniques of jokes have escaped his attention, however he claims that he has identified the most common and important techniques. In terms of identifying the exact processes involved, he admits he has made no judgment, but claims to now have the necessary background information to show him the direction to take for further light on this topic. The far-reaching agreement between methods of the joke-work and those in dream- work, Freud claims, cannot be a matter of chance. He looks at this in more detail in chapter VI.