blog 4 (early blog 2 on book)

     The sections of the 50 Funniest American Writers that we had to read were interesting and again, a bit odd. But what was different about these pieces was that each story featured a female as the main character. So we got to see life from the perspective of a woman. Again, I think my view of humor is different from the author of the 50 Funniest, because I did not find these stories “laugh out loud” funny. But it is quite possible that these stories had a different kind of humor such as situational humor or irony.

     The first story was “The Waltz” by Dorothy Parker. I smiled at the situational irony that was presented on the first page. The main character did not want to dance with the boy, and she felt sorry for the girl who was dancing with him earlier. But then, she became that “poor girl” because she was going to dance with him. I felt sorry for her, but at the same time, I had to laugh at this ironic misfortune (Borowitz 71). When I started reading, I immediately noticed that the story was in first person point of view. I liked how the story is in first person because I felt that I could relate to the main character better. Because it was in first person, my pity for her was stronger and more genuine because I could relate to her better. I noticed that she was complaining so much about not wanting to dance with the guy, and coming up with excuses in her head for why she can’t dance with him, but she still didn’t say anything. I became irritated at her. If I were there, I would tell her to get and grip and just say no! I would also tell her that if she really doesn’t want to dance with him, than she doesn’t have to. He’ll get over it and move on. I just could not stand her complaining (Borowitz 72). My irritation at her evaporated when I read about how her toes were stepped on and her shins were kicked. I sort of felt sorry for her, but at the same time I wanted to laugh because she knew what she was getting herself into, and because it was not happening to me. But then I shook my head because she has to suffer for being nice (Borowitz 73).

       The second story was “A Few Words About Breasts” by Nora Ephron. Now this story contained much more information than I wanted or needed to know. This story had some humor, but it was mainly a coming-of-age, something-you-read-in-sex-ed kind of story. But again, it was nice that the story was in the first point of view and from the perspective of a woman. When she said how she thought that one wrong move could turn her from a girl into a boy or vice versa was intriguing. I know there are tomboys, but this statement did not seem to be describing a tomboy, but rather, a reversal of genders (Borowitz 201). I chuckled and shook my head in disagreement when she said how she welcomed the pain of cramps. What woman wants to experience the pain of cramps (Borowitz 203)? The one part of this story that I found really humorous, and a little bit odd, was the fake logic that was present concerning how breasts grow. I won’t go into detail, because I would like to keep it PG, but read what Libby says on page 205 and you will see why I find it humorous and odd. I also found humor in the fact that she went to such great lengths to come up with fake breasts so it looked like she was developing. She slept on her back, splashed cold water on them, and even wore different bras each week. I never knew anyone to go to such great lengths to look like she had breasts, and I found it a little humorous that she wanted breasts so much. But at the same time, I was a little sad. I obviously do not know this person, but I bet she was beautiful the way she was. Why couldn’t she be happy with how she looked? There are plenty or girls out there with a large cup size who would not mind having her cup size (Borowitz 207).

            Reading and reflecting on these two stories confirmed my earlier statements about these stories having more situational humor and irony rather than just “laugh out loud, haha” humor. I am definitely learning more and more about humor as I read. And now I know that just because you do not necessarily laugh out loud, does not mean that the story is not humorous. It could just mean that there is a different kind of humor in the story.