Humor in HP

[Carol]

No: HPFGUIDX 186529

sartoris22 wrote:
> 
> Although Rowling uses wordplay, I think of her humor as more American than British because it relies heavily on characters and situations. <snip> The best humor in The Potter books, in my opinion, is situational and character driven. What makes it funny is who is saying it under what circumstances. For example, Hermione isn't particularly funny, but I find it hilarious when she gets exasperated at the things Luna Lovegood says. It's funny to me because Hermione cares so much about learning that it drives her crazy when Luna offers false informtion. When Luna talks about a Wrackspurt or something and Hermione says, "Where's the evidence for that?" I find that very amusing. <snip>

Carol responds:
I was thinking strictly of the books and JKR's own sense of humor (which it might be fun to contrast with Steve Kloves's on the movie list--I'm not sure that Michael Goldenberg even has a sense of humor).

Sometimes, it's visual humor that depends on the image the reader conjures up in his or her imagination (Grawp patting Hagrid on the head, for example). But you're right about some of it being situational and character driven. I remember laughing out loud when Harry, whose just been dragged out of the icy pool and saved from the Horcrux, hears a loud voice saying, "*Are*--*you*--*mental*?"

Of course, the line tells us that his rescuer is Ron, but it's a characteristically Ronnish reaction, if you know what I mean, and it's also surprising. I'm almost certain that the lines that make me laugh are those that catch me off guard.

Another moment that I found funny the first time through is the Twins, polyjuiced to look like Harry and saying together, "We're identical!" Of course, that line reads as sadly ironic once George loses his ear and becomes merely sad (like Fred's description of his own future wedding) after Fred's death.

I do think, though, that JKR's ability to find comic moments in tragic or potentially tragic moments is one of her strengths as a writer. (Another, which she doesn't use often enough, IMO, is poignant moments like Neville's mother giving him gum wrappers and Mrs. Weasley offering Fleur the tiara.)

Carol, who doesn't have access to Britcoms and is still somewhat at a loss regarding understated British humor (maybe I should look for it in Jane Austen!)