Paper short abstract:

The aim of the paper is to show the Polish story of the Covid-19 pandemic. The universal themes were complemented by strictly culturally immersed topics, reflecting the situation in Poland. The database consists of three hundred memes, films and comments collected between February and May 2020.

Paper long abstract:

The aim of the paper is to show the Polish story of the Covid-19 pandemic as seen through the humorous looking glass. Different stages of coronavirus presence in the media and social discourse have been accompanied by the appearance and development of jokes and memes, and illustrated the rapidly changing pandemic situation. The universal themes present in the humorous material travelling around the world were complemented by strictly culturally immersed topics, reflecting the specific social and political situation in Poland. The humorous material was related to introduced restrictions, changing laws, parliamentary elections, news from other affected countries, and also seasons and festive times – especially Easter – occurring at the same period. The database consists of over three hundred memes, films and comments collected between February and May 2020 – during the pandemic humor peak, which come mostly from private Whatsup and Facebook accounts of the researchers. The analysis undertaken in the article focuses on all various kinds of sophisticated mechanisms which involve intertextuality (allusions) as well complexity of references that function as sources of humor. Humorous mechanisms this involve various intertextual and intellectual allusions, and use a large range of genres. In all the examples discussed we can observe multiple levels and shifts in points of view, as well as attribution of an opinion, attitude or belief.

Keywords: memes, intertextuality, complexity, socialism, Covid restrictions, political allusions, stereotypes