The way the author uses humor is pretty interesting. Humor is always in one way or another at someones expense. In the case of her stories the humor is at Lovey's expense. The author used families as a way to amuse the reader through banter between its members.
In the first story a part that was funny to me was when the preacher thought he was getting through to them but really they were showing emotions because of they're game they play. They would make up endings to the Shirley Temple show. She was never able to see the real endings so from I understood her and grandpa would make them up.
In the second story the humor was darker. The author joked about the level of intelligence of main characters including Lovey once again who was the victim of the jokes. Her fake obituary read something like "Lovey was stupid stupid stupid" in a humorous manner. It was making death funny in a weird way. It made me think of this quote my mom once told me "Death is completely okay and safe". I also recently witnessed a death in my family so it was hard to see past the obituary talk and see the humor in it but i understood the use of dark humor.
In the last story once again it was at Lovey's expense and dealt with family. Her mom gave her a perm that was too tight and she looked like a oompah loompah and got that nickname at school. That was a reoccurring theme as well Lovey getting heckled at school. Lovey was the brunt end of majority of the humor in these stories.
Hi Brian,
ReplyDeleteYour post is insightful and highlights a recurring issue in the 3 short stories: humor at Lovey's expense. I'm interested in hearing what everyone thinks about the use of humor and whether the author uses it effectively or crosses the line. "Oompah Loompah", especially, is brutal and pokes fun at Lovey mercilessly. Is there a point to the humor? Does the writer use it for a purpose? Or are we just laughing at Lovey's expense? What do you all think?
Thanks for your insights.
Take care,
Lauren
Hi Brian-
ReplyDeleteI agree with your first sentence that you wrote, that humor in one way or another is always at someone else's expense. I think that is so true. These days we are always laughing at someone or because of something that someone did, usually to someone else too. In these readings I would have to agree with you Lovey is the target for the humor. I like what you pointed out in your writing about what you thought the humor was in the readings, I think that the most intense was the 3rd story, I think its because its a little more personal and it messes with her identity. Its humorous to us but I really felt for her I think its because I could relate to the whole perm experience.
You stated that humor is always at someone's expanse and I agree with that. At school you would hear someone being made fun of everyday, which made other kids laugh. This is just the norm at school during grade school to high school. While how humor is used in the story I agree that most if not all is pointed at Lovey. There are a few times that it is pointed at someone else but not long before returning back to Lovey. Like with the bully in the first story and Pillis putting the eraser into her nose. Humor is fun until someone goes too far.
ReplyDeleteBrian,
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you said "humor in one way or another is always at someone else's expense". Most of us love the kind of humor where its not towards us. Most of the time thats the kind I like but in the case of Lovey where she was practically called stupid is the kind of humor thats upsetting. to me humor is funny but if its putting someone down and that person is upset about it then its not funny at all. Humor should be used in a good way to where people understand why its being said to them rather then making then see it as a bad way or something thats offending.
xochilt =)
Brain,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your responce. When I had first read the short stories and then saw the question about humor being used, I was unsure about it. To me I didn't sense any humor in the stories. Reading your responce really helped me think about and see the humor in the stories.