Dark Humor in Literature

Introduction: Dark Humor in Literature

Dark humor or black humor in literature is a distinct literary device characterized by its use of dark, ironic, and often morbid humor to illuminate the absurdities and contradictions of human existence.

It thrives on juxtaposing themes that are traditionally considered serious, such as death, suffering, and societal dysfunction, with humor, thereby challenging conventional norms and expectations.

Shakespearean Dark Humor in Literature

Work	Example	Explanation
Hamlet – Act 5, Scene 1	In this scene, Hamlet discovers a skull in the graveyard and engages in a conversation with a gravedigger. Hamlet questions the gravedigger about the identity of the person in the grave, and the gravedigger humorously informs him that it is for “one that was a woman, sir; but, rest her soul, she’s dead.”	The dark humor in this example arises from the gravedigger’s casual and matter-of-fact attitude toward death and the absurdity of the situation. The conversation delves into the decay of the human body, tying mortality to Hamlet’s contemplative nature, creating a morbid yet comic atmosphere.
Macbeth – Act 5, Scene 5	In this scene, Lady Macbeth sleepwalks and is observed by a doctor and a gentlewoman. She engages in darkly humorous and haunting dialogue, referring to the murders she and her husband committed. She says, “Out, damned spot! out, I say!” while trying to wash imaginary bloodstains from her hands.	The black humor in this scene emerges from the stark contrast between Lady Macbeth’s desperation and the absurdity of her actions. Her guilt-ridden sleepwalking serves as a darkly comic commentary on the consequences of her and Macbeth’s murderous ambitions.

Literary Examples of Dark Humor

1. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller:
   • Explanation: In Catch-22, Joseph Heller employs dark humor to satirize the absurdity of military bureaucracy during World War II. The titular “Catch-22” rule, where a pilot must be declared insane to avoid dangerous missions but asking not to fly proves sanity, encapsulates the absurdity of war. This darkly comic element runs throughout the novel, highlighting the futility and madness of the characters’ experiences.
2. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut:
   • Explanation: Kurt Vonnegut uses dark humor in Slaughterhouse-Five to explore the disorienting effects of war. The recurring phrase “So it goes” following mentions of death creates a morbidly humorous commentary on mortality and the inevitability of death. This humor serves as a coping mechanism and a vehicle to convey the senselessness of violence.
3. A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift:
   • Explanation: Jonathan Swift’s satirical essay, A Modest Proposal, presents a shocking proposal with deadpan seriousness: that impoverished Irish families should sell their children as food to the wealthy. The dark humor lies in the absurdity of the suggestion, and Swift uses it to critique British exploitation of Ireland, providing a biting commentary on colonialism and social injustice.
4. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis:
   • Explanation: In American Psycho, Bret Easton Ellis employs dark humor to expose the shallowness and materialism of 1980s American culture. The protagonist, Patrick Bateman, is a wealthy investment banker who leads a double life as a serial killer. The disconnect between his violent actions and his obsession with consumerism creates a disturbing yet satirical commentary on society’s obsession with appearances and status symbols.

How to Create Dark Humor

1. Juxtaposition of Contrasting Elements: Dark humor often arises from the juxtaposition of serious or grim subjects with unexpected comedic elements. Contrast serious situations with absurd or ironic twists to create a humorous effect. For example, placing a bleak scenario in a comically mundane setting can be humorous.
2. Satirical Commentary: Use satire to critique societal norms, institutions, or human behavior. Create humor by exposing the hypocrisy, absurdity, or irrationality of certain situations. Satirical black humor often relies on exaggeration and irony to make its point.
3. Incongruity and Surprise: Surprise your audience with unexpected and shocking twists. Introduce elements that violate expectations, such as characters reacting in bizarre ways to distressing situations. The element of surprise can provoke both laughter and discomfort.
4. Deadpan Delivery: Present dark or disturbing content with a deadpan or matter-of-fact tone. The juxtaposition of serious subject matter with an emotionless or casual delivery can enhance the comedic effect. This style of delivery invites the audience to find humor in the absurdity of the situation.
5. Wordplay and Wit: Clever wordplay, puns, and witty dialogue can be powerful tools for creating dark humor. Play with language to highlight the absurdity of a situation or to draw attention to the contradictions within it. Well-crafted wordplay can add depth to the humor.

Benefits of Using Dark Humor

1. Engagement and Captivation: Dark humor can captivate and engage the audience by drawing them into the narrative. The unexpected and often irreverent humor can pique the audience’s curiosity, making them more invested in the story.
2. Critical Social Commentary: Dark humor serves as a vehicle for critical social and cultural commentary. It allows writers to satirize and critique societal norms, institutions, and behaviors, shedding light on pressing issues in an unconventional and impactful manner.
3. Coping Mechanism and Catharsis: Black humor can serve as a coping mechanism for both creators and consumers. It provides a way to address and process challenging or traumatic subjects, offering a release of tension and a sense of catharsis through humor.
4. Complex Exploration of Themes: It enables writers to explore complex and multifaceted themes by juxtaposing humor with serious or dark subject matter. This complexity can lead to deeper and more nuanced storytelling, encouraging audiences to contemplate various aspects of the narrative.
5. Memorability and Impact: The use of dark humor can make a story more memorable and impactful. The contrast between dark themes and humor leaves a lasting impression on the audience, provoking thought and discussion long after they’ve encountered the work.

Dark Humor and Literary Theory

Theory	Dark Humor Critique
Formalism and Structuralism	Formalist and structuralist approaches focus on the formal elements of a text, such as its structure, language, and narrative techniques. When applied to dark humor, these theories analyze how comedic elements are structured within the narrative, including wordplay, irony, and incongruity. By examining the structural aspects of black humor, scholars can uncover how it creates humor through literary techniques.
Reader-Response Theory	Reader-response theory emphasizes the role of the reader in interpreting a text. When studying dark humor, this theory explores how readers engage with and respond to the humor. It recognizes that readers may have varied interpretations and reactions to darkly humorous elements, based on their backgrounds, experiences, and expectations. This perspective highlights the dynamic relationship between the text and its audience.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Psychoanalytic theory delves into the unconscious motivations and desires of characters and authors. When applied to dark humor, it explores the psychological aspects of humor, especially how it can serve as a defense mechanism against anxiety and societal constraints. This perspective offers insight into the underlying motives of characters and the role of humor in their coping strategies.
Feminist Theory	Feminist theory examines how gender and power dynamics are portrayed in literature. In the context of dark humor, it assesses how humor can either challenge or reinforce traditional gender roles and stereotypes. By analyzing the ways in which gender is represented in darkly humorous works, feminist theory sheds light on the implications of humor for gender studies.
Postcolonial Theory	Postcolonial theory investigates the impact of colonialism and imperialism on literary narratives. When applied to dark humor, it explores how humor can function as a tool for resistance, subversion, or reinforcement of colonial power structures. It highlights the role of humor in addressing cultural complexities in postcolonial societies and challenging dominant narratives.

Suggested Readings

Literary Works:

1. Beckett, Samuel. Endgame. Grove Press, 1958.
2. Heller, Joseph. Catch-22. Simon & Schuster, 1961.
3. Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Viking Press, 1962.
4. Roth, Philip. Portnoy’s Complaint. Random House, 1969.
5. Vonnegut, Kurt. Slaughterhouse-Five. Dell Publishing, 1969.
6. Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1982.
7. Hiaasen, Carl. Tourist Season. G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1986.
8. 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.