Etymology of Black Humor
The term “Black Humor” finds its roots in the French phrase “humour noir,” originally coined by André Breton in his 1935 book “Anthology of Black Humor” (“Anthologie de l’humour noir”).
Black humor, also known as dark humor or gallows humor, is characterized by its ability to extract comedy from subjects typically considered serious, grim, or taboo, such as death, illness, and tragedy.
It employs elements of irony, satire, and absurdity to illuminate the incongruities and absurdities present in life’s darkest aspects. This form of humor often challenges societal norms and offers a means of coping with difficult or uncomfortable subjects through laughter, though it is frequently unsettling and controversial.
Meanings of Black Humor
| Aspect | Meanings |
| Exploration of Taboo Subjects | Black humor delves into topics that are typically considered taboo, such as death, suffering, illness, and violence. |
| Use of Irony | It relies heavily on irony and satire to highlight the absurdity and dark aspects of life, often presenting unexpected situations. |
| Coping Mechanism | In literature, black humor serves as a coping mechanism for both characters and readers to confront and humorously address difficult or uncomfortable subjects. |
| Social Commentary | It often provides a vehicle for social commentary by exposing the hypocrisies, injustices, and flaws within society through humor. |
| Challenge to Norms | Black humor challenges societal norms and conventions by questioning established values and beliefs. |
| Subversion of Expectations | It subverts the audience’s expectations, leading them to question their own assumptions about morality and propriety. |
| Intellectual Engagement | In theory, black humor can be a subject of intellectual engagement, with scholars analyzing its role in literature and its effects on readers’ perceptions. |
| Controversial and Ambiguous | It frequently sparks controversy due to its dark subject matter and the fine line it treads between humor and discomfort. |
| Literary Techniques | Authors use various literary techniques, such as absurdism, gallows humor, and shock value, to employ black humor effectively. |
| Historical Context | The interpretation of black humor can vary depending on the historical and cultural context in which a work is created. |
| Cultural Critique | It can function as a form of cultural critique, shedding light on the darkest aspects of society and human nature. |
| Catharsis | For both creators and audiences, it can provide a form of catharsis by allowing them to confront and process the darker aspects of life. |
| Psychological Perspective | Some theorists explore the psychological aspects of black humor, examining why individuals find humor in tragedy and discomfort. |
Definition of Black Humor
Black humor, as a literary device, is a form of humor that finds comedic elements in subjects and situations that are typically serious, dark, or taboo, such as death, suffering, and tragedy.
It uses irony, satire, and absurdity to highlight the incongruities and absurdities within such topics, often challenging societal norms and conventions. It serves as a means for both authors and readers to confront and cope with uncomfortable or distressing subjects through humor, albeit in a controversial and thought-provoking manner.
Types of Black Humor
- Gallows Humor: This type finds comedy in situations that are dire, grim, or life-threatening. It often arises in contexts where individuals use humor to cope with impending doom or tragedy.
- Satire: Satirical black humor uses irony, sarcasm, and ridicule to critique and expose societal vices, absurdities, and hypocrisies. It aims to provoke thought and challenge the status quo.
- Absurdist Humor: Absurdist form thrives on the irrational and illogical aspects of life. It presents situations that are bizarre, nonsensical, and devoid of meaning, highlighting the absurdity of existence.
- Shock Value: Some black humor relies on shocking and provocative content to evoke humor. It often challenges the boundaries of propriety and is designed to elicit strong emotional reactions from the audience.
- Cynical Humor: Cynical black humor is characterized by a pessimistic and distrustful outlook on life. It often features characters who are disillusioned and use humor as a defense mechanism against life’s disappointments.
- Surreal Humor: Surreal form of it embraces the bizarre and dreamlike elements of storytelling. It creates comedic effects by juxtaposing the ordinary with the absurd, blurring the line between reality and fantasy.
- Dark Wit: Darkly witty humor relies on clever wordplay and sharp observations to make light of dark or uncomfortable subjects. It often involves a quick and clever response to serious situations.
- Self-Deprecating Humor: This form involves individuals making fun of themselves, their flaws, or their misfortunes. It can be a way of coping with personal struggles through humor.
- Incongruity Humor: Incongruous black humor thrives on presenting incongruities or contradictions in a comedic manner. It involves the unexpected and often absurd juxtaposition of elements.
- Political and Social Commentary: Black humor can be used as a tool for political and social critique, addressing serious issues in a satirical and comedic fashion to provoke thought and discussion.
Common Examples of Black Humors
- Jokes About Difficult Topics: People often use humor to discuss challenging subjects like illness, death, or difficult life circumstances. For example, jokes about aging or health issues can employ black humor.
- Sarcasm: Sarcasm is a form of black humor that involves saying the opposite of what one means, often in a mocking or ironic tone. It’s frequently used in everyday conversations to comment on absurd or frustrating situations.
- Internet Memes: Online memes frequently use black humor to address social and cultural issues. Memes may take a humorous approach to topics like politics, relationships, or existential dilemmas.
- Stand-Up Comedy: Comedians often use black humor in their routines to discuss sensitive subjects like mental health, personal struggles, or societal issues. They use irony and satire to make audiences laugh while addressing serious topics.
- TV Shows and Movies: Many TV shows and films incorporate it to create comedic moments in otherwise serious narratives. For example, dark comedies like “Pulp Fiction” or “Fargo” use humor to navigate crime and violence.
- Cartoons and Animated Shows: Animated series often employ black humor to entertain both children and adults. They may use irony and absurdity to comment on societal norms and expectations.
- Literature: It is be found in literature, with authors using wit and satire to explore dark themes. Works like Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22” or Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five” employ black humor to critique war and bureaucracy.
- Social Media: Social media platforms are filled with examples, from humorous tweets addressing current events to darkly comedic memes about daily life.
- Gallows Humor in the Workplace: In some professions, such as healthcare or emergency services, individuals may use gallows humor as a coping mechanism to deal with the stress and challenges of their work.
- Comedic News Shows: Satirical news programs like “The Daily Show” and “Last Week Tonight” often use it to critique politics, media, and social issues.
Suggested Readings
Literary Works:
- Beckett, Samuel. Endgame. Grove Press, 1958.
- Heller, Joseph. Catch-22. Simon & Schuster, 1961.
- Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Viking Press, 1962.
- Roth, Philip. Portnoy’s Complaint. Random House, 1969.
- Vonnegut, Kurt. Slaughterhouse-Five. Dell Publishing, 1969.
- Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1982.
- Hiaasen, Carl. Tourist Season. G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1986.
- Palahniuk, Chuck. Fight Club. W. W. Norton & Company, 1996.
Theoretical Books:
- Bakhtin, Mikhail. Rabelais and His World. Indiana University Press, 1968.
- Raskin, Victor. The Semantic Mechanisms of Humor. Springer, 1985.
- Morreall, John. Humor Works. Prometheus Books, 1987.
