An Anatomy of Humor

Humor permeates every aspect of society and has done so for thousands of years. People experience it daily through television, newspapers, literature, and contact with others. Rarely do social researchers analyze humor or try to determine what makes it such a dominating force in our lives. The types of jokes a person enjoys contribute significantly to the definition of that person as well as to the character of a given society. Arthur Asa Berger explores these and other related topics in An Anatomy of Humor. He shows how humor can range from the simple pun to complex plots in Elizabethan plays.

Berger examines a number of topics - ethnicity, race, gender, politics - each with its own comic dimension. Laughter is beneficial to both our physical and mental health, according to Berger. He discerns a multiplicity of ironies that are intrinsic to the analysis of humor. He discovers as much complexity and ambiguity in a cartoon, such as Mickey Mouse, as he finds in an important piece of literature, such as Huckleberry Finn. In each instance, humor allows people to laugh at life, while also making them aware of serious problems. Among the topics that Berger discusses are Jewish jokes, comic strips, Mark Russell's political humor, Shakespeare's comedic techniques, and Nathanael West's satirical literature.

In the final chapter, Berger expresses his belief that there is a strong connection between creativity and humor. He puts forth the notion that every individual has the creative capacity to be a humorist. An Anatomy of Humor is an intriguing and enjoyable "read" for people interested in humor and the impact of popular and mass culture on society. It will also be of interest to professionals in communication and psychologists concerned with the creative process.