The Languages of Humor
by Arie Sover
Book Details
Reading Info
About This Book
Why are things funny? How has humor changed over the centuries? How can humor be a political force? Featuring expert authors from across the globe, The Languages of Humor discusses three main types of humour: verbal, visual, and physical. Despite the differences between them, all have a common purpose, showing us in different ways the reality that we live in, and how we can reflect on that reality. To this end, the book shows how humor has been used to address such topics as the Holocaust and th
Our Review
This comprehensive guide to humor studies examines why we laugh through three distinct lenses: verbal comedy, visual gags, and physical humor. Spanning centuries of comedic evolution, the book tackles weighty subjects including political satire and Holocaust representation, demonstrating how humor serves as both social mirror and cultural force. Featuring international scholars, the collection reveals the universal mechanisms behind what makes things funny while respecting humor's complex role in human experience.
What sets this apart is its serious approach to comedy scholarship, treating humor as both artistic expression and social commentary rather than mere entertainment. The global perspectives provide fresh insights into how different cultures deploy laughter as political resistance, cultural critique, and even historical processing. Readers interested in comedy theory, cultural studies, or communication will find this multidisciplinary examination transforms how they understand every joke, meme, and sitcom punchline they encounter.
Themes
Subjects
Looking for more books?
Visit our sister site BooksbyOrder.com