Humor Theory in Literature

Humor Theory: Etymology/Term, Definition, Concept

Etymology/Term:

The word “humor” in the context of humor theory originates from the ancient Greek word “humor,” meaning fluid or liquid. This term was used by ancient physicians to describe bodily fluids, believing that the balance of these fluids in the body influenced a person’s temperament and health. Over time, the meaning evolved to include a person’s disposition, and eventually, it became associated with the quality of being amusing or entertaining.

Definition:

Humor, in the realm of humor theory, refers to the quality of being amusing, entertaining, or enjoyable, often eliciting laughter or a sense of amusement. It is a subjective and culturally influenced phenomenon that involves the perception of incongruities, absurdities, or deviations from expected norms.

Concept:

• Incongruity Theory: This concept suggests that humor arises from the unexpected or incongruent elements in a situation. Jokes or comedic situations often involve surprising twists or deviations from typical patterns, leading to a humorous response.
• Relief Theory: Developed by Sigmund Freud, this theory posits that humor serves as a release of psychological tension or taboo thoughts. Laughter, in this context, is a way for individuals to cope with societal restrictions or personal anxieties.
• Superiority Theory: According to this perspective, humor emerges when individuals perceive themselves as superior to others or situations. Jokes often involve the ridicule or mockery of someone else, providing a sense of superiority to the audience.
• Incongruity-Resolution Model: Building on incongruity theory, this model suggests that humor arises when there is a resolution of incongruities. The brain processes incongruent information, and when a punchline or resolution is presented, it triggers laughter as a cognitive response.
• Cultural and Social Influences: Humor is highly influenced by cultural and social norms. What is considered funny varies across cultures and societies, reflecting shared values, taboos, and societal norms. Understanding cultural context is crucial in analyzing and appreciating different forms of humor.

Humor Theory: Theorists, Works, Arguments

Theorist	Notable Works	Key Arguments
Aristotle	Poetics	– Humor as catharsis in drama.
Thomas Hobbes	Human Nature	– Superiority theory, humor as a form of scorn.
Immanuel Kant	Critique of Judgment	– Incongruity theory, humor as the unexpected.
Sigmund Freud	Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious	– Relief theory, humor as a release of tension.
Henri Bergson	Laughter: An Essay on the Meaning of the Comic	– Mechanical incongruity, humor in rigidity and automatism.
Ludwig Wittgenstein	Philosophical Investigations	– Language games and how they contribute to humor.
Mary Douglas	Purity and Danger	– Taboo humor, exploring social norms through laughter.
Arthur Koestler	The Act of Creation	– Bisociation, the joining of unrelated cognitive frames in humor.
John Morreall	Taking Laughter Seriously	– Humor as play, the role of incongruity in humor.
Victor Raskin	Semantic Mechanisms of Humor	– Script-based semantic theory, analyzing humor through script deviations.

Humor Theory: Key Principles

• Incongruity:
  Humor often arises from incongruities, or unexpected elements, in a situation. This principle suggests that the human mind finds amusement in the unexpected or the deviation from typical patterns.

Example: In Oscar Wilde’s play “The Importance of Being Earnest,” the characters create humor through their use of ironic statements and paradoxes, introducing incongruities that challenge conventional expectations.

• Relief:
  Sigmund Freud’s relief theory posits that humor serves as a release of psychological tension or taboo thoughts. Laughter, in this context, becomes a coping mechanism for individuals to address societal restrictions or personal anxieties.

Example: George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” uses allegory and satire to provide a humorous yet critical commentary on societal and political issues, offering a release for readers to engage with complex themes through humor.

• Superiority:
  This principle, associated with Thomas Hobbes, suggests that humor arises when individuals perceive themselves as superior to others or situations. Jokes often involve the ridicule or mockery of someone else, providing a sense of superiority to the audience.

Example: In Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” the humor is often derived from the characters’ social missteps and misunderstandings, allowing readers to feel a sense of superiority as they observe the characters’ foibles.

• Bisociation:
  Coined by Arthur Koestler, bisociation involves the joining of unrelated cognitive frames in humor. It emphasizes the juxtaposition of disparate ideas, leading to a surprising connection that elicits laughter.

Example: In Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” the absurd and fantastical situations that Alice encounters, such as a tea party with the Mad Hatter, showcase bisociation by combining unrelated elements in a humorous manner.

• Cultural Context: Humor is intricately shaped by cultural and social norms, demanding an awareness of the cultural backdrop for a nuanced interpretation and appreciation of diverse comedic forms. What amuses one culture might not resonate universally, highlighting the significance of context in humor comprehension.

Example: In Arundhati Roy’s “The God of Small Things,” humor is threaded with cultural intricacies and societal nuances of post-colonial India. Readers must delve into the cultural context to fully grasp the satirical elements and wit, enriching the overall understanding of the novel’s humor.

Humor Theory: Application in Literary Critiques

• Incongruity Analysis: Examining how incongruities contribute to humor helps identify instances where the unexpected or absurd elements deviate from typical patterns. Literary critics can explore how authors employ incongruity to create laughter or provoke thought.

Example: In Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” incongruity is evident in the disparity between Huck’s naive perspective and the complex moral issues he encounters, adding humor through the incongruous nature of his observations.

• Relief Theory Interpretation: Literary critics can employ relief theory to analyze how humor serves as a release of tension or a coping mechanism within a narrative. This approach involves identifying instances where humor provides relief from intense or serious themes.

Example: Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22” uses humor to provide relief from the harsh realities of war. The absurdity of the catch itself serves as a coping mechanism, allowing readers to navigate the grimness of the wartime setting.

• Superiority Dynamics: Evaluating how superiority dynamics contribute to humor involves examining instances of satire, mockery, or characters’ missteps. Literary critics can assess how the audience’s sense of superiority over characters influences the comedic elements.

Example: Jane Austen’s “Emma” features a protagonist whose misguided matchmaking attempts lead to humorous situations. Literary critics can explore how readers’ sense of superiority contributes to the novel’s comedic appeal.

• Bisociation Examination: Analyzing bisociation in literary works involves identifying unexpected connections or juxtapositions that elicit laughter. Literary critics can explore how authors creatively combine disparate elements for comedic effect.

Example: Douglas Adams’ “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” employs bisociation by blending science fiction with absurdity, creating unexpected connections that contribute to the novel’s humor.

• Cultural and Social Context Consideration: Literary critics must consider cultural and social contexts when assessing humor. Examining how cultural references, norms, or societal critiques contribute to the comedic elements provides a more comprehensive understanding.

Example: In Zadie Smith’s “White Teeth,” the humor is intricately linked to multiculturalism and the complexities of identity in post-colonial Britain. Critics can explore how cultural context enhances the novel’s humor and social commentary.

By applying humor theory to literary critiques, analysts can unveil the intricate mechanisms of comedic elements within literary works, offering readers a deeper appreciation of the role humor plays in storytelling.

Humor Theory: Terms

Term	Definition
Incongruity	Unexpected or absurd elements deviating from norms.
Relief Theory	Humor as a release of tension or coping mechanism.
Superiority Dynamics	Audience’s sense of superiority over characters.
Bisociation	Juxtaposing unrelated elements for comedic effect.
Cultural Context	Influence of cultural norms on humor interpretation.
Satire	Use of humor, irony, or ridicule for social critique.
Wit	Clever and humorous expression, often verbal.
Parody	Imitation with exaggeration for comedic effect.
Hyperbole	Deliberate exaggeration for humorous emphasis.
Irony	Expression of meaning contrary to the literal sense.

Humor Theory: Suggested Readings

1. Bergson, Henri. Laughter: An Essay on the Meaning of the Comic. 1900. Dover Publications, 2005.
2. Frye, Northrop. Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays. Princeton University Press, 1957.
3. Freud, Sigmund. Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious. 1905. W. W. Norton & Company, 1990.
4. Koestler, Arthur. The Act of Creation. Macmillan, 1964.
5. Morreall, John. Taking Laughter Seriously. SUNY Press, 1983.
6. Raskin, Victor. Semantic Mechanisms of Humor. Springer, 1985.
7. Wilde, Oscar. The Critic as Artist. 1891. Penguin Classics, 2009.