How does intertextuality work in this text? What phrases does it quote or borrow?
In the joke about the ill man, Robinson Crusoe, the biggest use of intertextuality is the punch line "Thank Friday, it's God." The famous saying "Thank God it's Friday" or "TGIF" is known across the world and is said when people are talking about the particular day of the week. This joke gives the name of Friday to Crusoe's friend. Crusoe needs his friend Friday to get help because he has fallen ill. Friday prays to God to help his friend, when he rushes back he finds a glowing ball who is supposed to be "God". The helper states "who is that?" and Crusoe says "Thank Friday, it's God." Although the names and the meaning are switched around with this joke anyone who knows the saying will understand the humor behind the punch line. Because we are so used to hearing "Thank God it's Friday" when we hear "Thank Friday, it's God" it catches us off guard but when you realize that it's just the famous saying said backwards you understand the concept of the joke.
Gee's language tools that are relevant to this joke are social language and discourse.
"Friday, get help! Get help! falls into the category of social language because you would not typically use this form language unless you were in danger. The exclamation marks presented in the text also show that he is in a hurry to get help. Again if he was calm he would not be yelling for help. The punch line "Thank Friday, it's God" can also be categorized as social language because because its a phrase of relief and happiness. In both cases of the famous saying that mean gratitude. When the glowing ball is at the foot of Crusoe's bed it is a sign that he will most likely be cured of the disease he was given. When people say "Thank God, it's Friday" it is because they are relieve that it is the weekend. You would not hear someone say "Thank God it's Friday" on a Monday and the same goes for the case of this joke. Crusoe wouldn't have said "Thank Friday, it's God if he did not see the glowing ball at the foot of the bed that is assumed to be God.
This entire joke can example discourse because the tone of the joke goes from urgency to relief. At the beginning of the joke Crusoe is eager and desperate for help from his friend. Everyone at the beginning was nervous and anxious. Once the help was given at the end of the story the mood switched from anxiety to happiness and relief. The tone of of Crusoe's voice changed and the entire discourse of the joke completely made a 180.
The analysis answers the question asked because the use of intertextuality and social language intertwine with each other in this joke. I stated that the phrase "Thank God it's Friday" is used when expressing a gratitude of happiness. This phrase in the joke is stated when Crusoe finds God at the foot of his bed (when he is finally happy). It relates to intertextuality and social language because we have all heard the phrase before and all use when we are happy that it is finally Friday. Although the meaning in the joke is different then the typical expression that we are all used to, the emotion behind the phrase is always the same.
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