Limbă, Literatură, Folclor

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52505/llf.2026.1.05

Abstract:

This paper examines nineteenth-century Romanian feuilleton literature through the satirical periodical „Calicul” (Sibiu, 1881-1933), emphasizing its role in shaping public opinion and cultural discourse. It explores how irony, humor, and caricature functioned as journalistic tools to expose political demagogy, social inequality, and cultural tensions, offering an alternative history of events. Situated within the dynamic evolution of the Romanian press, „Calicul” exemplifies the dual mission of humorous journalism: to entertain as a form of resistance and to morally instruct. The study analyzes the magazine’s use of anonymity, parody, and grotesque exaggeration to evade censorship and criticize abuses of power. By transforming laughter into a form of civic resistance, „Calicul” contributed to a collective ethical consciousness and to the broader project of national emancipation. Ultimately, the research underscores the importance of humorous journalism in Transylvania as a vital intersection of politics, culture, and literary innovation.

Keywords: satirical press, humor, irony, caricature, Calicul, nineteenth-century Transylvania.