Black Humor In Catch-22 And Something Happened

<p>Abstract: Black Humor is a term, first created and implied by French Pre-modern poet and critic Andre Breton in<br>1920s. But it did not become noticeable and was not taken seriously in the USA until 1960s. Columbia Encyclopedia<br>describe Black Humor is a follows :<br>“ Black Humor, in literature, drama and film, grotesque or morbid humor is used to expose the absurdity,<br>insensitivity, paradox and cruelty of the modern world. Ordinary characters or situations are usually exaggerated<br>far beyond the limits of normal satire of irony.”<br>In 1960s, Black Humor is not only a term or a word but it is considered as a literary movement in America.<br>It is closely related to the politics, economics and social conditions after World War II. Writers of 1960s used Black<br>Humor as a weapon to expose the harsh realities of the contemporary society. Joseph Heller (1923-1999) is the<br>most influential fiction writer in 1960s. He also employs Black Humor for delineating the horrifying absurdity of<br>service life in World War II. He reflects his vision in his novels-Catch-22 and Something Happened.<br>Catch-22, Joseph Heller's first novel, was published in 1961. It is now widely recognized as one of the most<br>significant book written by an American since World War II. The publication of this novel brought about a new look<br>in American literature and this creative novel was named as the presentative of Black Humor. The novel describe<br>the wartime experiences of Army Air Corps Captain John Yossarian.<br>Something Happened, published in 1974, thirteen years after Catch-22. Bob Slocum, a businessman who<br>engages in a stream of consciousness narrative about his job, his family, his childhood, his sexual escapades and his<br>own psyche. He was dissatisfied and pessimistic about his own lives despite enjoying its comfort. Bob's passivity in<br>the novel is an important insight into Heller's objective in creating the novel.<br>By using the technique of Black Humor, Heller, in both novels, deals with the theme of disillusionment,<br>absurdity, immorality and irrationality. These themes are also found in the American contemporary social life.<br>Heller throws light on the major issues which is essential for the betterment of the lives of American peoples.</p> <p>