Final answer:
Humor in William Faulkner's 'As I Lay Dying,' which employs comedy amidst a serious event like Addie's death, is an example of black comedy. This genre finds humor in serious or taboo subjects, using a satirical edge to explore themes of mortality and the human condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
In William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying, the utilization of humor amidst a grim situation such as Addie's death is known as black comedy. This genre of humor involves making light of subjects that are generally considered serious, taboo, or distressing to discuss.
Black comedy typically examines serious themes with a satirical or cynical edge, finding humor in the macabre or the absurdity of misfortune. It is different from other forms of comedy such as slapstick, which involves more physical and overt humor, satire, which targets broader societal issues and ridicules them, and irony, which is when the actual intent is concealed or contradicted by the literal words or actions presented.
In As I Lay Dying, the Bundren family's journey to bury Addie becomes a darkly humorous odyssey, touching on themes of mortality, existentialism, and the human condition, all the while using humor to confront and reflect upon these serious subjects.