Question

How does Gogol use techniques like irony, hyperbole, and absurdity to create humor?

Answer 1

Nikolai Gogol uses techniques like irony, hyperbole, and absurdity in his writing to create humor, drawing laughter while critiquing social norms and human behavior.

Step-by-step explanation:

Nikolai Gogol, known for his unique brand of humor, frequently employed techniques like irony, hyperbole, and absurdity to engage and amuse his readers. Through irony, Gogol cleverly presents a situation or statement that is in stark contrast to what is expected, thus creating a humorous juxtaposition. Hyperbole is another tool Gogol masterfully uses; by introducing extreme exaggeration into his narratives, he heightens the absurdity of certain situations, drawing laughter while also pointing out the foibles of society. The deliberate use of absurd elements in his storytelling often upends readers' expectations and creates a surreal, often hilarious world which undermines the status quo and exposes deeper truths. These comedic techniques not only entertain but also provoke thought, encouraging readers to consider the underlying critique of social norms and human behavior that Gogol is highlighting.

Answer 2

Gogol is best known for his use of irony, hyperbole, and absurdity to create humor and a sense of existential weariness. In some of his works, like The Nose, Diary of a Madman, and even in his unfinished novel, Dead Souls, he famously takes advantage of a single element, like a nose that has lost its owner, the royal ravings of an office clerk, or the business behind recollecting dead souls, respectively, and extrapolates this element to make it englobe and define his fictional characters, this then puts the characters in very absurd situations that, even though they cause hilarity, leave the reader with a sense of dread and even horror, the irony being that, though existence be dreadful, it is, nonetheless, comical to a point of absurdity.