Question

What methods does Gogol employ to create humor in this story? Why are they so effective?

If you do not know the answer, look up what methods create good humor in a story. Then decide if they are effective in this story.

Answer 1

Gogol and Barthelme use humor to engage readers and criticize society, employing techniques like exaggeration, absurdity, irony, and juxtaposition. Comedy of Manners and figurative language like metaphors and similes are also effective tools in making stories immersive and communicating deeper themes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Writers like Nikolai Gogol and Donald Barthelme often employ humor to underscore their critiques of society, and to create a more engaging narrative. Gogol's use of humor typically involves exaggeration, absurd situations, and the characterization of individuals to reveal the foibles of society. This technique is both effective and affecting as it allows readers to see the ridiculousness of certain behaviors or social norms, thus leading to critical reflection in an accessible way.

Barthelme, on the other hand, might employ irony, juxtaposition, and the subversion of reader expectations to elicit humor. The effectiveness of his humor lies in the surprise and the contrast between the expected and the actual outcomes; a technique that can be used to bring attention to themes such as death or the mundane elements of life. Furthermore, by illustrating the humor through direct quotations, the author's intended tone and comedy are conveyed more impactfully to the reader.

One common trope in creating humor is the Comedy of Manners, often used to critique social hierarchies and behaviors. Incorporating this form, writers create characters that mock the absurdities of societal norms. This form of humor proves to be effective in communicating political and social messages, as seen in the works of Oscar Wilde and other 19th-century playwrights. In addition to text, artists can convey these messages through other art forms such as paintings, theater, and films.

To create an immersive story, authors skillfully employ figurative language. Metaphors, similes, and descriptive imagery are artistic tools that enhance the reader's sensory experience, drawing them deeper into the narrative. These techniques not only set the tone and atmosphere but also serve to enrich the thematic substance of the text, making the story more relatable and absorbing for the reader.

Answer 2

According to a different source, this question refers to the story "The Nose" by Nikolai Gogol.

In this story, the author creates a humorous anecdote about a man who loses his nose. There are several strategies that the author employs in order to create humour in the story.

One of the methods that the author employs is sarcasm. Sarcasm is a sharp remark that employs irony in order to express contempt. The author uses sarcasm when describing almost all the characters in the story.

Another method that the author employs is that of describing situations in extreme detail. By doing this, the author is able to create a vivid image in the mind of the reader. However, this is also effective as it highlights how "pointless" and "small" the concerns of the people in the story are, which creates a humorous effect.

These methods are effective for several reasons. First, they help support the plot, which has the effect of drawing the reader deeper into the story. The methods also create a more vivid image of the characters, the setting, and the events of the story. Finally, these methods make the character's flaws and follies more relatable to the reader, and therefore, funnier.