Black humor in 20th-century literature often explores grim themes through a satirical lens. Notable examples include Joseph Heller’s "Catch-22," which critiques the absurdity of war and military bureaucracy, and Kurt Vonnegut’s "Slaughterhouse-Five," which addresses the trauma of war and fatalism with a darkly comedic tone. Additionally, Flannery O'Connor’s short stories frequently reveal the grotesque aspects of human nature, using irony and humor to confront serious moral issues. These works illustrate how black humor can provide a coping mechanism for confronting life's darkest realities.
Lisa Colletta has written: 'Dark humor and social satire in the modern British novel' -- subject(s): Black humor, English Humorous stories, English Satire, English fiction, History, History and criticism, Literature and society, Modernism (Literature), Social problems in literature
Ulpiano Lada Ferreras has written: 'Literatura y humor' -- subject(s): Humor in literature, Spanish wit and humor, Spanish American literature, Spanish literature, History and criticism
Sergio Cueto has written: 'Borges y Bioy Casares, ensayistas' -- subject(s): Criticism and interpretation 'Otras versiones del humor' -- subject(s): History and criticism, Humor in literature, Literature 'Versiones del humor' -- subject(s): History and criticism, Humor in literature, Modern Literature
Helen Chambers has written: 'Humor and irony in nineteenth-century German women's writing' -- subject(s): History and criticism, German fiction, Women authors, Irony in literature, Humor in literature, German literature 'The changing image of Theodor Fontane' -- subject(s): Criticism and interpretation
There are various types of humor in literature, including verbal humor (wordplay, puns), situational humor (ridiculous situations or misunderstandings), satirical humor (criticizing society or individuals), and physical humor (slapstick comedy or exaggerated actions). Each type of humor adds a different layer of amusement to the text.
Anthology of Black Humor was created in 1939.
There are many examples of humor including funny humor such as a joke. There is also dark humor that hurts people.
In "Grendel," black humor can be seen in Grendel's sarcastic and nihilistic reactions to the absurdity of life, like when he mocks the ways in which humans try to find purpose and meaning. Additionally, his interactions with the dragon, who offers darkly humorous philosophies that highlight the futility of existence, also showcase black humor in the novel.
Walter Blair has written: 'Davy Crockett, frontier hero' 'Amer Lit a Brief Hist' 'The urbanization of American humor' 'Horse sense in American humor' -- subject(s): American wit and humor, History and criticism 'The literature of the United States, an anthology and a history [edited by] Walter Blair, Theodore Hornberger [and] Randall Stewart' -- subject(s): American literature, American literature (Collections), History and criticism 'Mike Fink, king of Mississippi keelboatmen' -- subject(s): Frontier and pioneer life, River life 'The college anthology' -- subject(s): American literature, English literature, Readers and speakers 'Better reading' -- subject(s): American literature, English literature, Lending library, Readers, Readers and speakers 'Essays on American humor' -- subject(s): American Humorous stories, American wit and humor, Criticism and interpretation, History and criticism 'The literature of the United States' -- subject(s): American literature, American literature (Selections: Extracts, etc.), Civilization, History and criticism, Literary collections 'The background of Bill Nye in American humor' -- subject(s): Humor 'Literature Of The Victorian Era' 'America's humor' -- subject(s): American wit and humor, History and criticism 'The United States in literature' -- subject(s): American literature, History and criticism
Johan Verberckmoes has written: 'Laughter, jestbooks and society in the Spanish Netherlands' -- subject(s): Civilization, Dutch literature, Dutch wit and humor, Dutch wit and humor, Pictorial, History, History and criticism, Humor, Laughter, Literature and society, Pictorial Dutch wit and humor, Popular literature, Social aspects, Social aspects of Laughter, Spanish influences
Black humor can be divisive, as it often involves making light of morbid or taboo subjects.
Alexandra K. Zervou has written: 'Ironie et parodie' -- subject(s): Comic, The, in literature, Greek wit and humor, History and criticism, Humor, Irony in literature, Mythology, Greek, in literature, Parody