Black Humor......

The New York Times said of Vonnegut that he was “Our finest black humorist… We laugh in self defense.” Explain what the NYT meant by that statement.

I think that the NYT has portrayed Kurt Vonnegut's essence properly by saying that he is "our finest black humorist..." Vonnegut's presence through out the novel often times seems humorous to us as his readers. However, the humor that lies within the novel comes from deep thoughts that have embedded themselves in the mind of Kurt Vonnegut himself. As a war veteran, Vonnegut looks back into his life and tries to portray his situations in war and in life through another person, in order to give his novel an interesting twist.

The quote that describes Vonnegut as a black humorist opens the minds of those who have read and tried to understand the constant irrationality that is Slaughterhouse Five. Everyone stereotypes the word black with darkness and evil. However, the darkness of Vonnegut's thoughts intermingle with humor in the situations in which "Billy Pilgrim" goes through. Though Slaughterhouse Five comes across as an anti-war novel, it's dark humor brings light into the situation of war. While in war, there is death, there is struggle, and therefore sometimes seems to be no hope. What is there to do? When you are down and depressed, one cannot help but feel the want to laugh. Though many veterans of war hurt for their lost commrades, I feel that they also have to laugh for the lost. In that feeling of loss, there is no happiness. However, after many years have gone by, we find these veterans telling their stories, and sometimes laughing at their situation. Is this wrong?

For one to laugh after seeing hard times, it takes a while. When all is said and done, laughter always provides the comfort again. To say that Vonnegut is a "black humorist" brings new meaning to the light of his novel. Although sad and "southern gothic-like" as his novel may be, Vonnegut provides that deep down message that even though we might think it may be over, whether that situation be war or hardship, black humor will always be there, to help bring us out.