Mr. T,
I could not, respectfully, disagree more. I think there is a
black humor element involved in the best of noir that makes
it truly human.
I don't even agree with your definition of "true humor." I
think Mel Brooks defined the nature of comedy best when he
said (and I'm sure I'm paraphrasing): "Tragedy is when I cut
my finger. Comedy is when YOU fall down an open manhole and
die."
I'm not sure if that notion is "redeeming" or "healthy". But
it is funny and, is most cases, accurate.
TL
-----Original Message----- From: Jacques Debierue <
matrxtech@yahoo.com> Sent: Oct 21, 2004 2:07 PM To:
rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com Subject: RARA-AVIS: Re: Humor
and irony in noir
True humor (which is indeed redeeming, that is, healthy) is
incompatible with true noir. If the situation of the doomed
noir protagonist is made humorous, the reader may not believe
in it. Lose the accepted doom and noir can easily become
ridiculous. Somehow Willeford managed to mix the two, but
he's the exception. I would not say that humor has been an
element of noir from the beginning. Quite the contrary.
Best,
MrT
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