Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika
–
Зарубежная
лингвистика
и
лингводидактика
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Foreign
Linguistics and Linguodidactics
Journal home page:
https://inscience.uz/index.php/foreign-linguistics
The application of humor theories in George Orwell's
"Animal Farm" and William Golding's "Lord of the Flies"
Iroda ABDULLAYEVA
1
Webster University in Tashkent
ARTICLE INFO
ABSTRACT
Article history:
Received September 2024
Received in revised form
10 October 2024
Accepted 25 October 2024
Available online
25 November 2024
The main goal of this paper is to examine three theories of
humor through the lens of two famous English novels, Animal
Farm and The Lord of the Flies, offering a deeper understanding
of humor's role in literature. To achieve this, we define humor
while considering all three theories. The novelty of this paper lies
in its in-depth analysis of these theories as applied to the selected
novels. The study focuses on key aspects: first, an analysis of
some of the main characters in each novel; and second, a
comparative exploration of the satirical tone used to depict the
collapse of power in both works. These aspects will be analyzed
through the lens of the three primary humor theories:
Superiority Theory, Incongruity Theory, and Relief Theory.
2181-3701
/©
2024 in Science LLC.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47689/2181-3701-vol2-iss5
/S
-pp131-137
This is an open-access article under the Attribution 4.0 International
(CC BY 4.0) license (
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.ru
Keywords:
humor,
humor theories,
power,
irony,
satire.
Жорж Оруэллнинг “Молхона” ва Уилям Голдингнинг
“Пашшалар
ҳукмдори”
асарларида
юмор
назарияларининг қўлланилиши
АННОТАЦИЯ
Калит сўзлар:
юмор
,
юмор назариялари
,
хокимият
,
ирония
,
сатира.
Ушбу
мақоланинг
асосий
мақсади
юмор
назарияларининг икки танланган инглиз романи, яъни
Молхона ва Пашшалар Хукмдори асарлари нуқтаи
назаридан адабиётда кулгу ролини чуқурроқ таҳлил қилиш.
Юмор ва юмор назарияларини таърифи атрофлича берилди.
Ушбу мақоланинг янгилиги шундаки, у танланган романлар
мисолида юмор учта асосий назариясини чуқур таҳлил
қилади. Эътибор қаратилган баъзи асосий жиҳатлар
қуйидагилардан иборат: биринчидан, ҳар бир романда
тасвирланган
асосий
қаҳрамонларнинг
таҳлили.
1
Master's Graduate, Webster University in Tashkent. E-mail: irodaabdullayeva079@gmail.com
Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika
–
Зарубежная лингвистика
и лингводидактика
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Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics
Special Issue
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5 (2024) / ISSN 2181-3701
132
Иккинчидан, ҳар икки асарда ҳокимиятнинг қулашининг
сатирик тонини таҳлили ва таққослаш. Ушбу жиҳатлар учта
асосий юмор назарияси –
Устунлик назарияси, Уйғунсизлик
назарияси ва Енгиллик назарияси орқали таҳлил қилинади.
Применение теорий юмора в произведениях Джорджа
Оруэлла «Скотный двор» и Уильяма Голдинга
«Повелитель мух»
АННОТАЦИЯ
Ключевые слова:
юмор
,
теории юмора
,
власть
,
ирония
,
сатира.
Цель данной работы –
представить три основные теории
юмора через призму двух известных английских романов:
«Повелитель мух» Уильяма Голдинга и «Скотный двор»
Джорджа Оруэлла, а также раскрыть роль юмора в
литературе. Для этого было дано определение юмора с
учетом всех трех теорий. Уникальность данного
исследования заключается в углубленном анализе трех
ключевых теорий юмора на примере выбранных
произведений. Основное внимание сосредоточено на
следующих аспектах: во
-
первых, анализ главных персонажей
каждого романа; во
-
вторых, сравнение сатирического тона, с
которым изображается крах власти в обоих произведениях.
Эти аспекты будут рассмотрены через призму трех основных
теорий
юмора:
теории
превосходства,
теории
несоответствия и теории облегчения.
INTRODUCTION
English is a leading international language; however, learning a language is not only
about vocabulary or grammar but also about understanding its humor and unique
characteristics. Humor can be the focus of teaching and studying as a complicated
phenomenon. It can be investigated as a vital component of literary discourse and an
effective means of exploring people's personalities. Though both writers, Orwell and
Golding, share one language, their use of satire is different by several factors resulting from
their moral and sociocultural development, and there are similarities in terms of allegory
and symbolism usage in describing the collapse of power.
Animal Farm
and
Lord of the Flies
may not make us laugh in a conventional sense. However, their satirical tone encourages
us to think critically about human fragility and social order. While
Animal Farm
uses satire
to explore the power corruption and threats of totalitarianism,
Lord of the Flies
narrates
the downfall of civilization and the comedown into savagery.
Animal Farm
and
The Lord of
the Flies
, both satirical works that explore the unclear parts of human nature, will be
analyzed through three leading humor theories
–
incongruity theory, superiority theory,
and relief theory
–
to examine how humor reflects power dynamics, societal collapse, and
the characters' struggles. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of both
novels through three widely known humor theories in literature.
Related works. Several scholars have studied both novels and the field of
humor. Gning, M. (2024) compared two novels through the lens of novels’
characters, power dynamics, and final degradation of ideals. The very outstanding
Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika
–
Зарубежная лингвистика
и лингводидактика
–
Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics
Special Issue
–
5 (2024) / ISSN 2181-3701
133
point in the study is how the author describes the adoption of human behavior by
animals in
Animal Farm
and animal behavior by children in
Lord of the Flies.
Singh,
R. K. (2012) presents definitions and examples from various texts to explain the
difference between satire, sarcasm, and humor.
The following foreign scholars also
carried out research in the field of humor: Morreall, J. (1987),
Cihla, A. (2012),
Spencer, H.
(1860),
Classen, A. (2017) and others.
The research is based on texts from the
abovementioned novels and presented in their original form.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
The study uses qualitative research based on literary analysis to explore humor
theories. It uses examples from two famous English novels:
Animal Farm and
The Lord of
the Flies
. The primary objective is to examine how humor theories can be applied to crucial
moments in both books.
The primary materials for this study are George Orwell's Animal Farm and William
Golding's Lord of the Flies, precisely some dialogues and texts of the novels. In addition to
the primary text, secondary materials contain scholarly articles that provide definitions
and explanations of humor and humor theories. We chose secondary materials based on
their relevance to the themes of humor and humor theories.
This study applies a close reading method, allowing a detailed examination of the
text to apply humor theories. We made the following analysis:
Textual Analysis:
A close reading of critical scenes involving the main characters,
such as the insult of Piggy's weaknesses by Jack in Lord of the Flies and Pig's dominance
over other animals in Animal Farm, will be reviewed to establish the connections with
humor theories.
Comparative Analysis
: Some scenes with main characters from both novels are
illustrated to highlight the associations with humor theory.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Animal Farm
by George Orwell is a well-known figurative novel that satirizes the
Revolution in Russia and the rise of chaos in Soviet totalitarianism. The narrative is about
a group of farm animals who defeat their human owner, Mr. Jones, desiring to create an
egalitarian society. Believing in pigs Napoleon and Snowball, the poor animals initially
work toward an imaginary life where all are equal. However, as Napoleon gets mighty, the
pigs adopt the same dictatorial behaviors as the former Mr. Jones, ruining all the animals'
hopes. Overall, the novel highlights themes of power and the collapse of expectations.
The Lord of the Flies
by William Golding is a satirical novel that examines the fragility
of society, the breakdown of civilization, human nature, and the descent into savagery. It
tells about a group of stranded boys on an uninhabited island who attempt to create their
own civilized society. As their attempts to establish orders and maintain humanity fail,
power corrupts, and fear leads to violence and chaos. The novel explores human fragility,
the loss of purity, and the inherent darkness within people when societal rules no longer
apply. However, both novels do not make us laugh in a traditional sense but urge us to
think about social problems in depth.
Humor
is an umbrella term encompassing satire, jokes, sarcasm, wit, irony, and
anything else that might be 'amusing.' Humor always needs language and word mastery.
Knowledge of humor functions as a stimulus for social interaction, fostering interpersonal
engagement and enhancing the effectiveness of communication (Lefcourt, 2001). Many
theories attempt to explain what humor is. However, in contemporary literature, three
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Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics
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theories are most commonly observed: Superiority Theory, Incongruity Theory, and Relief
Theory.
The Superiority Theory
posits that humor arises from ridicule, wherein the target
of amusement is perceived as inferior, while we view ourselves as superior. More
specifically, the ridiculous is encountered in the self-ignorance of individuals who
mistakenly believe they possess wisdom. In other words, pleasure generates laughter from
the pleasure derived from witnessing others experience the misfortune of being deceived
about their wisdom (Morreall, 1987). Bergson's view is classified under the Superiority
Theory, as he argues that laughter and amusement are primarily mocking and often
directed at individuals displaying some form of inferiority. However, his view of the
appreciation of the comic is more optimistic, as he contends that laughter and derision
serve a constructive function within society.
Piggy, one of the critical characters in Lord of the Flies, is portrayed as a physically
weak and socially awkward boy who is also thoughtful and intelligent. He is the one who
suggests using the conch to establish a form of order and tries to maintain a sense of
civilization and hope for survival. However, the other boys on the island often ridiculed
him, mainly due to his nickname, asthma, obesity, and glasses: "Can't catch my breath.
I was the only boy in
our school who had asthma […]. "And I've been wearing specs since I
was three" (9). Boys frequently called him "Fat Boy," a nickname that mocks his physical
appearance. This attitude reflects the ruthlessness of society, where people are judged
based on their physical traits and weaknesses. The fact that Piggy's real name is never
revealed in the novel also highlights his separation from the group and being an outsider:
"The fat boy waited to be asked his name in turn but this proffer of acquaintance was not
made" (9). The dialogue below illustrates how social hierarchies begin to form among the
boys, with Jack's mockery in calling Piggy 'Fatty' setting the tone for the rejection he will
face throughout the novel.
"You're talking too much," said Jack.
"Shut up, Fatty." Laughter arose.
"He's not Fatty," cried Ralph, "his real name's Piggy!"
"Piggy!" (Golding, 1954, p. 24).
According to the
superiority theory
, the other boys' laughter and teasing are based
on their feeling superior to him due to his vulnerabilities. Piggy's self-worth is eroded as
the boys use his weaknesses to proclaim their dominance. Jack and others may laugh at
Piggy's misfortunes or weaknesses because it reinforces their dominance and power over
him. Here, Jack calls Piggy "Fatty," and Ralph's reluctant correction by calling him "Piggy"
highlights how the boys view him as an outsider. Their laughter at his expense reflects
their belief that they are more potent than Piggy because boys perceive him as weak and
different.
In
Animal Farm
, the pigs, particularly Napoleon and Snowball, quickly rise to power
after the animals overthrow Mr. Jones. "As for the pigs, they could already read and write
perfectly. […]. None of the other animals on the farm could get further than the letter A"
(27,28). Over time, Napoleon, in particular, starts using his intelligence and manipulation
to dominate the farm and make the other animals feel inferior: "Comrades!" he cried. "You
do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege?
Many of us actually dislike milk and apples. […]. Day and night we are watching over your
welfare. It is for YOUR sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples" (29). The pigs'
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sense of superiority grows as they assume leadership positions, claiming special privileges
over Boxer, the sheep, and all other animals. The pigs' exploitation of Boxer reflects how
those in power can find amusement or superiority in the suffering or hard work of the
lower class, just as the dominant boys in
Lord of the Flies
find pleasure in mocking Piggy.
The pigs view Boxer as an inferior, subservient animal, reinforcing their dominance by
making him work until he collapses. Moreover, the pigs' ability to control the sheep
highlights the use of superiority as a means of asserting power and dominance over the
uneducated and easily manipulated animals: "[…], the sheep developed a great liking for
this maxim, and often as they lay in the field they would all start bleating "Four legs good,
two legs bad! Four legs good, two legs bad!" and keep it up for hours on end, never growing
tired of it" (29).
By the novel's end, the pigs' sense of superiority has grown, so they are no longer
just superior to the other animals
–
they have become the new tyrants, being worse than
their previous human oppressors. The animals are now seen as inferior and dominated by
pigs' impulses. The pigs' complete transformation into human-like figures reinforces the
idea that superiority can be a corrupting force, making those in power more detached and
indifferent to the suffering of the masses. Through this, we can perceive how the pigs mock
the other animals, believing themselves superior.
Incongruity (juxtaposition) theory
posits that humor and laughter stem from the
presence of incongruity, which refers to something that contradicts expectations based on
a particular norm. According to Hutcheson in Thoughts on Laughter (1725), amusement
arises from the intellectual recognition of incongruity: "The cause of laughter is the
juxtaposition of images with opposing additional ideas, yet some similarity in the main
idea." Kant also added
(Critique of Judgement)
that we laugh at absurdities because the
mind's effort to resolve contradictory ideas triggers a pleasurable physical reaction, not
because the intellect enjoys frustration (1994). He believed that humor requires an
element of surprise, generating a sense of cognitive dissonance, which is then freed
through laughter.
In
Lord of the Flies
, Piggy holds the conch, symbolizing authority and the right to
speak within the group. However, despite this symbol of power, he is repeatedly ignored,
particularly by Jack and the others who have descended into savagery. The
incongruity
here is that the conch, meant to represent democracy and order, no longer holds any real
power in the face of Jack's emerging authoritarian rule. The expected outcome
–
respect
for the conch and equality for those who hold it
–
is contradicted by the reality that Piggy's
voice is ignored because Jack and the others choose to disregard him:
"I got the conch," said Piggy indignantly. "You let me speak!"
"The conch doesn't count on top of the mountain," said Jack, "so you shut up" (51).
This contradiction between the expected and the actual is unsettling, as it shows the
collapse of expectation.
In
Animal Farm
,
Squealer manipulates the farm's commandments to justify the pigs'
increasing authority and privileges. The commandments, originally meant to provide
equality among the animals, are subtly modified by Squealer to fit the pigs' boosting power.
The
incongruity
in this case arises when the animals, who initially believed in the idea of
equality, see the commandments change but are manipulated into believing that
everything is in the interest of the farm. Pigs that claim to cherish equality and justice but
abide by or foster lying and injustice are ironic. The animals hope that the commandments
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will always remain fixed. However, the fact is that the rules are being constantly altered to
benefit the pigs, exposing the duplicity of the leadership. One example is:
"They had thought the Fifth Commandment was "No animal shall drink alcohol," but
there were two words that they had forgotten. At first, the Commandment read: "No animal
shall drink alcohol TO EXCESS" (84).
The animals expect the commandments to be steadfast and reflect their equivalency,
but the truth is that they are exploited and distorted to benefit the pigs.
Both situations build a feeling of irony and expose the darker realities of power
structures. “Irony can explore
the differences between what a society or person says or
does and how they actually live” (Singh, 2012).
Also, according to
The Relief Theory,
laughter is a way to release negative emotions
and nervousness. The relief theory suggests that humor acts as a mechanism for releasing
accumulated emotions or tension through emotional release. Laughter and joy, according
to the relief theory, are the result of the release of excess negative energy. This theory
primarily used humor to overcome sociocultural inhibitions and to reveal suppressed
desires. Spencer states that intense pain often triggers involuntary movements, such as the
affected limb reacting, facial contortions, and vocal expressions of distress. Similarly,
emotions like joy and fear also have physical manifestations. He also states that laughter,
in the same way, serves as a physical expression of the release of pent-up energy (Spencer,
1860).
In Lord of the Flies, there comes a moment when the boys take part in leisure
activities or 'moments of fun' depicted by their first chants praising or wishing to kill the
beast or the act of swinging sticks while pretending to hunt. Such activities allow them to
escape from the horror and the anxiety that results from the struggle to survive and to
dominate. The boys relieve their strain through play and violence, which gives a
momentary escape from the pressures: "They seemed to share one wide, ecstatic grin. Jack
had too many things to tell Ralph at once. Instead, he danced a step or two, then
remembered his dignity and stood still, grinning" (82). Another example of laughter rising
is the dialogue that occurs just after the tension between Jack and Ralph. This laughter
probably arose to release the negative feelings they had experienced:
"Now I only got one eye
. Just you wait―"
Jack mimicked the whine and scramble.
"Jus' you wait―yah!"
“Piggy and the parody were so funny that the hunters began to laugh. Jack felt
encouraged. He went on scrambling and the laughter rose to a gale of hysteria” (86).
Their joy after hunting creates an ironic "relief" as their brief escape from the order
follows tragic consequences. The relief they experience through cruelty makes almost all
boys laugh. Even Golding himself also states: “With some positive action before them, a
l
ittle of the tension died” (87).
In
Animal Farm
, confusion and false hope arise when the animals briefly believe in
their freedom, the pigs' justifications for their actions, and Squealer's manipulation
provide them with a fleeting sense of relief from the heavy psychological burden. "All the
animals capered with joy when they saw the whips going up in flames. […]. Yes, it was
theirs
–
everything that they could see was theirs! In the ecstasy of that thought they
gamboled round and round, they hurled themselves into the air in great leaps of
excitement" (19). This relief is temporary, as the animals soon realize that the pigs' rule
has become indistinguishable from the tyranny of the humans they initially overthrew.
Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika
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137
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this article has explored three main theories of humor in literature,
comparing their role within the seminal novels. Through analyzing two British novels, the
study highlights the distinct ways in which humor and its theories are used by William
Golding and George Orwell. This comparison reveals humor's varied concepts and
sociocultural functions and underscores its significance as a comic device in literary
expression. Finally, the article categorizes humor theories that use some elements of irony,
satire, and sarcasm in these texts, offering insights into their role in shaping the tone and
critique of society within literature. Humor and laughing are the best feelings. However,
when humor enters literature, its purpose should not limit itself to entertainment.
Literature and humor together have to shed light on the darkest corners of reality, allowing
readers to understand the world better.
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