Black humor....

In trying to decide on something I found humorous that pertains to my own life, I had great troubles in deciding. However, there's always something in the back of the minds of many people that we can all relate to. That one thing, is our favorite movies. I cant really place an emphasis on my favorite movie of all time, but I can place an emphasis on a movie which makes me laugh no matter how many times it can be re-played. Diary of a Mad Black Woman has to be one my all time favorite movies when it comes to humor. The humor provided throughout the movie tends to find its roots in the many discriminating stereotypes of Blacks in today's society. That being said, I love black people. Especially when the black humor is soo far fetched into Black people making fun of their own race. Tyler Perry is very good at making fun of his own race, while intermixing other stereotypes in with his plays and movies. In his play-writes and movies, Perry's main character "Madea", happens to be Perry himself, dressed as an older black woman. Though I do not dress as an older black or white woman for the matter, I have been told by many that I am black on the inside for some odd reason. The interesting thing is...it fits. Personally, I enjoy many Negro Spirituals and that good ole' southern Gospel singing. After all, us white folks aint got nothin' on them black churches when it comes to singin'. Also provided in Diary of a Mad Black Woman is the typical stereotype of the Ghet-to! The stereotypes of the black ghettos of Atlanta provide many funny jokes and opportunities for laughter throughout the movie. I enjoy the black humor and stereotypes in this movie simply because we can all relate to the stereotypes in todays world, and the fact that this movie provides an atmosphere where stereotypes are "ok."

John Pinette....... Water Park

John Pinette uses himself as a model and perfect victim for the puns of his own jokes. Due to his stature, John Pinette is able to make fun of himself for the enjoyment of his audiences. By placing himself in these situations that his audience can relate to, Pinette provides exact images in the minds of his audience. In 'Water Park,' the descriptions used allow the viewers to directly relate to things that happen in everyday life,.... or on your family vacations. Forming his show around the modern day problems of the world, such as obesity, and the frustrations of dieting, Pinette allows himself to become humiliated in front of his audiences, allowing them to laugh at the things one might normally not laugh about in front of others. The providing of his personal views on each matter in which he speaks, allows Pinette to engage his audience by placing certain images into their minds. One might also find Pinette's voice funny. For such a large man, he has a very high pitched voice that tends to reach even higher pitches when he gets excited or goes into a funnier part to a joke. Over all, the use of imagery by words, the ability to put himself in the situations without making the audience uncomfortable, and his actions along with the high pitched voice, Pinette is a very successful comedian in that he provides scenarios in which we can all laugh at.

Money Tree

I think that the excerpt in the novel about the money tree is meant to invoke deep thoughts in Vonnegut's readers. I think that the money tree itself is a form of temptation to which most people would fall. This temptation leads to the death of many people in the story, so it goes. I think that the money tree is a symbol of a cause. I think the symbol of a cause relates to the cause of fighting that Billy Pilgrim goes through as a soldier.
Many people die as a result of cause and the effects of war on this world. Though the trees leaves are twenty dollar bills, its fruit is diamonds, many people who try to come to this tree end up fighting for no apparent reasons. Then, their fighting leads to the death of many people. These dead bodies that are at the base of the tree fertilize it, allowing the tree to put forth more leaves of twenty dollar bills, and more fruit of diamonds.
I think the symbol of the tree was included in Vonnegut's novel to show his perspective on war. As an anti-war novel, the symbol of the tree that everyone wants to get to, leads to death and destruction. We later find that if we only would wait, that the tree would produce much good if we chose to fertilize it and help it to grow and produce, instead of killing each other over the goods it has to offer. I think that Vonnegut strives to show his readers that if we could only try to help situations that might end in war first, without bombing and causing the deaths of millions of people, that we could all learn to live together peacefully, and all of us would gain from the experiences. If the people in the tree story would have worked together to supply the tree with adequate needs, they would have all been able to be happy in the end without the needless death and destruction that is caused by greed and misunderstandings.

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.

Sex With Ducks....Art? I THINK NOT!!!!!!

The use of fowl or curse words, otherwise known as “billingsgate” language, has constantly come across and received as “taboo” in our society today. However, with the ever-changing form of society in which we live, these taboo and forbidden words have, as it seems, emerged themselves in our everyday language. Words once spoken sparsely, have now taken new meanings, although some have stayed the same. Many times one uses these words in order to seem “cool” or “intelligent”. However, many of these words and phrases applied at the wrong time take away from valid and otherwise substantial conversations. Often times, we find that the use of such language now comes with no surprise, therefore not leaving any sort of enamored effect on those who do not speak and use such language. The “I can’t believe he just said that” factor no longer resides in our minds. Now, many people find the use of “billingsgate” language leads them to boredom. Without the enamoring effect, “taboo-ed” terms seem to go un-noticed.
Now that society has chosen to accept the once “forbidden” words, we find more ways of inserting them in un-needed places such as music… and try to call it art. In the song, “Sex With Ducks”, artists and song writers try to prove a point that gay marriage should not be allowed. Permitting gay marriage and relationships would coincide or therefore “lie” (no pun intended) as equal to having sex with a duck. I do agree that both of these acts incorporate morally wrong actions, but I do not agree with the overuse of the word “sex” in the song. I do not agree with the making of this song in that the song writers seem to flaunt their use of the word “sex,” strictly due to the fact that it too, was once a “taboo” word. I do not believe that any song with the use of foul language should be considered art. After all, the use of curse words to explain or present your feelings on certain matters still resides just as immoral as the situations you may feel harsh against. The use of “billingsgate” language is in no way shape or form beautiful, it only demeans the person that uses it.


"Cursing is the use of big words by little people"- unknown

Emma and Quote

Camden Goddard
Upon reading Jane Austin’s novel Emma, I did not find anything particularly funny or striking about the situation on Box Hill between Emma and Ms. Bates. The way Austin portrays the scene comes across as a normal conversation or dialogue in writing. However, when put in visual form in the movie, the perception on the issue changes significantly. The way in which Emma insults Ms. Bates comes quite common in everyday happenings among young people today. In the light of the conversation on Box Hill however, an insult of this sort carries a different meaning in light of the different time. As a woman of lower status, one who tries to find joy in anything to help her forget her underprivileged and inferior state, Ms. Bates takes Emma’s harsh criticism to heart. As seen later in the chapter, Emma receives her fair share of tongue lashing as well. Had Ms. Bates not come from a lower class than Emma, the criticism might not have come across so harsh. Due to her selfish ways, Emma only worsens the already awkward situation in turn, leading to her own demise in the end of the chapter. This scene in Emma relates closely to the quote by Thomas Hobbes. Hobbes writes that people “keep themselves in their own favour by observing the imperfections of other men. And therefore laughter at the defects of others is a sign of pusillanimity.” Emma clearly draws attention to herself by making fun and insulting Ms. Bates. This leads to the others guiding their attention towards Emma. Although those present during the situation at Box Hill did not laugh after the rude comment, Emma’s actions show signs of “pusillanimity.” Emma wanted all of the attention to come to her instead of others, this shows a downfall to her leading readers to think that abides as a selfish person.
Had Jane Austin written Emma as a play write, further explaining the actions of the characters, I think I would have understood the humor better. However, making fun of someone due to their personality is never right in any situation. In watching the movie, I was very disheartened when I saw the reaction of Ms. Bates. Therefore, I did not understand or see the humor in that scene. I was more sympathetic for Ms. Bates instead of finding humor in this scene of the novel.

Laughter According to Hobbes...

Camden Goddard
While sitting here, remembering the funny moments that happen to have found their way into my life, sorting through those that have left an imprint into the deep depths of my most fond memories, sudden new thoughts occur as to why I thought these particular incidents amusing. Now looking back, I do not instantly feel the inevitable and almost seemingly involuntary form and expression of pure happiness to which most associate the term and action of “laughing”. Upon reading Thomas Hobbes, the roots behind what makes me smile and laugh now would seem almost cruel in many instances.

Hobbes writes, “sudden glory is the passion which maketh those grimaces called laughter; and is caused either by some sudden act of their own that pleases them; or by the apprehension of some deformed thing in another, by comparison of which they suddenly applaud themselves.”

Upon reading this, I directly apply my thoughts to memories of extensive laughter that have recently come over me. In one instance, I find that laughter comes many of times in situations where things or people have disadvantages, or when “emotion arises from a strained expectation suddenly reduced to nothing” (Kant). On many of these occasions, simply because laughter comes as an “instinctive-like” reaction, we fail to realize we demean, or belittle others, as we act by “observing the imperfections of other men” (Hobbes). Therefore, “laughter at the defects of others is a sign of pusillanimity,” and truly demeans oneself in the end (Hobbes). After all, “the wise man does not laugh without trembling” when he realizes that laughter may fall under the classification of a sin(Baudelaire).