Into the Humor of Absurdity of Reality

Should Mark Twain’s work’s style, “humor all humorous (Howells 159),” be viewed like that of Shakespeare or Dane Cook? This loaded question unleashes different methods of examination of what makes comicality. For Twain, we mostly see humor deriving from the absurdity of reality. I would like to make the case that even though Mark Twain’s writing of ‘At the Appetite Cure,’ though dated, is still relevant to the today’s time and age of the young scholar.

Mark Twain is more than just your run of the mill comedian; he is a specialist on pushing barriers and putting a play on morals and issues. William Dean Howells, a renowned literary critic applauds his writing in the stating that along with Twain’s humor, comes an “impassioned study of human conscience (161)”. He doesn’t merely analyze and conclude in an entertaining way. Twain often brings up human struggles and leaves the conclusions up to the interpreter. His humorous analysis is realized in the skeleton guideline to dive into the depth of society and that of the individual. This skeleton model not only provides flexibility for accessibility between time periods, but also in specific subject matter. ‘At the Appetite Cure’, lends itself well to this claim in the questioning what our desires are, and what may be the elements of regularity in our lives that leaves us unsatisfied. You can take the example of the students desire for success in courses and ultimately in profession. The steps taken to achieve success such as regularity of class, course work, study habits and exams all ride out the desire. This negative feedback loop presents an ironic conundrum familiar to students and presents a similar model for many other desires.

Also in leaving an open conclusion to the reader, Twain alludes to his standpoints without threatening upon an authoritative tone. Thus, he assumes his position, in relation to the reader, to be more than just a scholarly artist, but also a wise old friend. This works well for the college student said to be the vanguard against “the man.” This notion that with knowledge there is power and tendency to undermine authority is something will most likely never change in the adolescent mind; therefore ensuring this relationship to be a valued throughout time. William Dean Howells says himself, “All fashions change and nothing more wholly and quickly than the fashion of fun” but he states that Twain’s artistic talent will endure (162). He is confident in his conclusion because Twain doesn’t preach nor philosophize but unassumingly and purely tells a story; his story (Howells 161). This realistic nature and experiential tone leaves the college student comfortably reflecting on their own life. His writings easily receive a chuckle from readers because they have all “been there” and can identify with him (Howells 159).

Analyses of these profound questions in his works also, present a refreshing humor in its intellectual capacity. His short story ‘At the Appetite Cure,’ his intellectual humor is seated within simplicity and only a success in his ability to touch on life. This may sound extremely cliché, but see, that is just it. I am not Mark Twain. He had ability to state the obvious as more than just the obvious and able to do so in such a way, that the reader was contemplative without having to bang their head against the wall in boredom (Howells163). College students particularly yearn for this type of intellectual quality. In fact, Rod A. Martin explains how a person’s academic caliber is directly related to what they find funny in ‘The Sense of Humor: Explorations of a Personality Characteristic’ (26). The University creates a highly academic living environment in which information sharing and stir debate and problem solving among its student body. The constant academic discussion apart from classes motivates us to keep up with the times; however, in a more lighthearted manner. In picking up ‘At the Appetite Cure,’ a student receives exactly this; freedom from a professor’s expectations as well as the slapstick state of vegetation.

The reality and applicability of this classic American anecdotal comedy is that it will end until the end of time, especially in the minds of young adults. It embodies all aspects that are highly attestable to our caricatures and stereotypes.  I shall end on the same note as that of Howells, “If the prevailing spirit of Mark Twain’s humor is not a good natured self-satire, in which the reader may see his own absurdities reflected, scarcely would be able to define it (164).”

Works Cited

Howells, William Dean. "Mark Twain." Mark Twain's Humor Critical Essays. By David E. Sloane. [S.l.]: Taylor & Francis, 1995. Print.

Martin, Rod A. "Approaches to the Sense of Humor: A Historical Review." The Sense of Humor: Explorations of a Personality Characteristic. By Willibald Ruch. [S.1.]: Berlin: Mouton De Gruyter, 2007. Print.