ABSTRACT
As we have seen, one of the major definitions of comedy – stories with happy endings – implies a narrative form. In this chapter we shall be concerned not only to explore the issues of happy endings and the ways they can figure in comedy but also to discuss issues of narrative structure in general. In addition we shall discuss conventions of narrative motivation in comedy, in particular the extent to which comedy can involve improbable forms of causality and logic. This will involve considering the mechanisms of comic suspense and surprise which, insofar as they concern the articulation of narrative events, and the distribution of positions of relative knowledge and ignorance, show how consideration of narrative must also involve considerations of modes of articulation and modes of address.
