American Humor
📘 About This Book
The paramount question answered in this absorbing collection of essays is: What's so funny about American humor, and why? What are American humor's characteristics? How have they evolved and displayed themselves? Which characteristics are distinctively, or even uniquely, American? Originally appearing as an issue of the American Quarterly, these essays take a close look at American humor from revolutionary times to the present day, and particularly focus on the neglected trends of the past fifty years. Looking at American comic figures as diverse--and even surprising--as Mark Twain and Richard Nixon, at various vehicles for American humor such as comic strips, radio and television, movies, and standup comedians, and at different genres of humor including political, ethnic, and feminist humor, this book brings a lively new perspective to the study of American culture.
📖 Summary
Arthur Power Dudden's 1987 book American Humor offers an absorbing collection of essays addressing the paramount question of what makes American humor funny and why. Originally appearing as a special issue of the American Quarterly, these essays take a close look at American humor from revolutionary times to the present day. The volume pays special attention to the neglected trends of the past fifty years, charting how the nation's comedic voice has evolved and displayed itself across generations. By examining what characteristics are distinctively or even uniquely American, the book provides a sweeping examination of the cultural forces that shape laughter in the United States. The collection explores an eclectic and surprising array of comic figures, ranging from literary giants like Mark Twain to modern political figures such as Richard Nixon. It investigates the diverse vehicles through which American humor is delivered to the public, including comic strips, radio, television, movies, and standup comedians. Furthermore, the essays break down the distinct genres that make up the comedic landscape, covering political satire, ethnic humor, and feminist perspectives. Through this varied lens, Dudden and his contributors demonstrate how humor serves as a mirror for American society, capturing its anxieties, triumphs, and changing social dynamics over centuries of history. Readers are invited to consider not just the punchlines, but the underlying cultural work performed by comedy as it adapts to new media and shifting demographic realities. Ultimately, American Humor stands as a thoughtful piece of literary criticism and cultural history, capturing the essence of a nation through the things it finds funny.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Provides a comprehensive look at American humor from revolutionary times to the present.
Covers a diverse range of comedic vehicles like radio, television, movies, and standup.
Examines neglected trends from the fifty years prior to publication.
Explores various genres including political, ethnic, and feminist humor.
⚠️ Cons
Published in 1987, so it does not cover developments in comedy over the last several decades.
As an essay collection, it may lack a single continuous narrative thread.
❓ FAQ
What is the main question explored in American Humor? +
The book asks what is so funny about American humor, why it is funny, and what makes its characteristics distinctively or uniquely American.
Who is the author of American Humor? +
The book was edited and compiled by Arthur Power Dudden.
When was American Humor published? +
It was published in 1987, drawing its content from a special issue of the American Quarterly.
What types of comic figures and vehicles are discussed? +
The book discusses figures ranging from Mark Twain to Richard Nixon, and vehicles such as comic strips, radio, television, movies, and standup comedy.
How many pages long is the book? +
The book is 180 pages long.
