Fawlty Towers Essay Outline

FAWLTY TOWERS OUTLINE

Introduction: The scene in the hospital. Sybil (the emasculator) and Basil (the protagonist) argue about her being in hospital. Sarcastic humour is identified, as are the three plot points: the moose, the fire drill, and the Germans. Also established, through his meetings with the sister and the doctor is the fact the Basil holds back his true opinions, in the latter case it indicates that Basil is uncomfortable with other races.

Act One: The Moose. Physical humour enters the format here. Basil is frustrated by the constant interruptions of Sybil, as well as Polly (the foil) being better skilled at languages than him, and Manuel (the fool) being inept. Further to this is the Major. The Major's anecdote is completely racist, but his belief that the moose is talking, when it is really Manuel, informs us that he is a bigger fool than Manuel. It is also important that Basil voices a dislike of Germans but also expresses the belief that attitudes associated with the war should be forgotten. As such it is highlighted for the audience that racist attitudes are not to be tolerated and that people who hold them are stupid. The conclusion of the act establishes the theme of concussion.

Act Two: The Fire Drill. The physical humour is increased here as the frustration between the four central characters only works to anger Basil more. The interplay of logical humour adds the further dimension and the greater means of the expression of sarcasm. Comic irony is also added in Manuel and the fire, we know there is a real fire, Basil does not. It must be also noted that Manuel setting off the fire is an act of stupidity, thus telling us that jokes about Manuel are about this not his nationality.

Bridge: Basil in hospital. Another establishing scene, here it is established that Basil is suffering from concussion. A symptom of this concussion is a lack of inhibitions as highlighted by his direct rudeness, rather than sarcasm, to the sister. It is noted, however, that the lack of inhibitions is not extreme enough to make Basil express racist attitudes to the doctor.

Act Three: The Germans. Comic irony is key here, we know that Basil wants to do the right thing and respect the Germans as people, it is he who frequently stresses to not mention the war, but that his concussion has removed his inhibitions. As such we laugh at him not with him as he makes his embarrassing remarks. Key to this is the representation of the German family as tolerant and well balanced. The final moment of bathos is thus the result of all that has gone before but also clearly an attack on the opinions expressed by the protagonist who is seen as a laughable figure.

Using the outline above as a model for a five part structure, outline your own sitcom episode.

Introduction: establish three act themes.

Act