What can we learn from sarcasm?
If you are learning English and your level is decent, I’d suggest you start looking at sarcasms as they are a way for communication for quite a few people in the UK. Some aren’t fans of it as it may be misunderstood, but quite a big chunk of British comedy uses sarcasms. It’s not a good idea to teach children through sarcasms as they might misinterpret ย it altogether but for adolescents and adults, it is, in my opinion absolutely fine. Remember not to be sarcastic in your IELTS or any other English exam because it’s not the right place to do so ;). Overall, we can learn about the English culture and what people here enjoy watching though you have to remember that if someone is mean to you through sarcasm, you have to respond accordingly.
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So today, I’d like to share one of my favourites, an episode from Fawlty Towers that has become known as “A room with a view”. To sum up, it’s an episode where there’s a whole lot of miscommunication is taking place between the main characters. In this particular scene, Mrs Richards wants to get a discount claiming that the room is not to her expectations. There are some references to the following places:ย
- Torquay – a city by the sea in England
- Sydney Opera House – you know where it is
- The Hanging Gardens of Babylon – a place mentioned in the Bible.
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Basil: Good morning Madam. Can I help you?
Mrs Richards: Are you the manager?
Basil: I am the owner, Madam.
Mrs Richards: What?
Basil: I am the owner.
Mrs Richards: I want to speak to the manager.
Basil: I am the manager too.
Mrs Richards: What?
Basil: I am the manager as well.
Manuel: Mana(h)er, him mana(h)er!
Basil: Shut up!
Mrs Richards: Ohโฆ! Youโre What!
Basil: โฆ. Iโm the manager.
Mrs Richards: What?
Basil: I am the manager.
Mrs Richards: Yes, I know, youโve just told me. Whatโs the matter with you? Now listen to me! Iโve booked a room with a bath. When I book a room with a bath, I expect to get a bath.
Basil: Youโve got a bath.
Mrs Richards: Iโm not paying seven pounds twenty pence per night plus VAT for a room without a bath.
Basil: There is your bath.
Mrs Richards: You call that a bath? Itโs not big enough to drown a mouse. Itโs disgraceful.
Basil: (muttering) I wish you were a mouse, Iโd show you.
Mrs Richards: And another thing! I asked for a room with a view.
Basil: (to himself) Deaf, mad and blind. This is the view as far as I can remember, madam. Yes, this is it.
Mrs Richards: When I pay for a view, I expect something more interesting than that.
Basil: That is Torquay, Madam.
Mrs Richards: Well, itโs not good enough.
Basil: Well โฆ may I ask what you were hoping to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeeste sweeping majestically โฆ ?
Mrs Richards: Donโt be silly. I expect to be able to see the sea.
Basil: You can see the sea. Itโs over there between the land and the sky.
Mrs Richards: Iโd need a telescope to see that.
Basil Fawlty: Well, perhaps you should consider moving to a hotel closer to the sea. Or preferably in it.
Mrs Richards: Now listen to me! Iโm not satisfied, but I have decided to stay here. However, I shall expect a reduction.
Basil: Why? Because Krakatoaโs not erupting at the moment?
Mrs Richards: Because the room is cold, the bath is too small, the view is invisible and the radio doesnโt work.
Basil: No, the radio works. You donโt.
Mrs Richards: What?
Basil: Iโll see if I can fix it, you scabby old bat.
[He turns the radio on to the limit.]ย Basil: I think we got something then!
Mrs Richards: What!
Basil: I think we got something then!
Mrs Richards: What are you doing?
Manuel: Quรฉ?
Basil: Madam, โฆ.. donโt think me rude, but may I ask โฆ. do you by chance have a hearing aid?
Mrs Richards: A what?
Basil: A hearing aid!!!
Mrs Richards: Yes, I do have a hearing aid.
Basil: Would you like me to get it mended?
Mrs Richards: Mended? Itโs working perfectly all right.
Basil: No, it isnโt.
Mrs Richards: I havenโt got it turned on at the moment.
Basil: Why not?
Mrs Richards: The battery runs down. Now what sort of reduction are you going to give me on this room?
Basil: (whispering) sixty per cent if you turn that on.
Mrs Richards: What?
Basil: My wife handles all such matters, Iโm sure she will be delighted to discuss it with you.
Mrs Richards: I shall speak to her after lunch.
Basil: You heard that all right, didnโt you.
Mrs Richards: What?
Basil: Thank you so much. Lunch will be served at half past twelve. Manuel Manuel!
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I hope you enjoyed it. Have you found the lines with sarcasm? Please comment below.ย
2 thoughts on “Sarcasm in Fawlty Towers”
From one Anna to another. Many thanks for putting this on the net, it has saved me a lot of work! (I teach English in Finland).
Dear Anna,
I have been using this in class and it has proven to be a success. I would like to add something onto the page about the intonation and specific references to sarcasms. Haven’t had time lately though. Thank you.