IRISH HUMOR

Like Jewish humor, Irish humor developed out of pain and tragedy that resulted in a diaspora. Irish humor like Jewish humor contains much word-play, and like Jewish humor much of Irish wordplay is bilingual and/or bicultural, relating to both the Gaelic/Celtic and to the English language and culture. Just as there are many Jews around the world trying to reestablish their roots using Jewish literature, especially humorous literature to help them do so, the same is true for the many Irish people around the world who are using humorous Irish literature to help them establish their roots.

Both Jewish humor and Irish humor can be called "laughter through tears," but while this Jewish laughter-through-tears has been studied extensively by humor scholars, the Irish laughter-through-tears has not been studied nearly so extensively. This presentation is therefore an attempt to shed light on the nature of Irish humor, and to suggest some of the analogues between Irish humor and Jewish humor. Before writing Humor in Irish Literature: A Reference Guide, I was aware that humor varied greatly from country to country. I was also aware that the humor of each country has its own special flavor. What I was aware of was the fact; what I was unaware of was the extent. I found Irish humor to be a great deal more "Irish" than I had anticipated. I also found some fascinating similarities between Irish humor and Jewish humor, and soon I began to discover that Irish and Jewish cultures have a great deal in common.

The Irish Rogue breaks laws, but he is not a criminal. He is very bright and charismatic. And he is subversive. He is anti-English and pro-Irish, so the English hate him, and the Irish love him. Jonathan Swift was being a bit roguish when he wrote “A Modest Proposal.” Rogues are revered in Ireland, because it was the Rogues who fought back when the English were taking over Ireland. Rogues break rules and laws, but it is always for the greater good. Rogues are entertaining and high spirited, and they diffuse violence with their use of humor. Although they are flirtatious, they seldom form lasting alliances with women. Many rogues are linked to an aristocratic figure, usually an Irish rebel chief, for whom he risks his life. The ‘rogue’ is articulate, good natured, fun loving, and [exhibits an] irrepressible élan vital, Rogues tend to be imaginative and resilient comic figures.

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