It is often said (wrongly) that women don’t have much sense of humor. In fact, much of it gets lost because most women carry a lot on their minds. I think we are making mental lists most of the time. But laughter definitely needs a place in life, no matter how busy you are. At times when you lose your sense of humor, creative works can restore it to you. Romcoms are my favorite type of movies to relax with. Today I’ve asked author Varsha Dixit to talk about the role of humor in women’s fiction. Let’s hear her take on it. Please welcome Varsha Dixit, the author of Right Fit Wrong Shoe, Wrong Means Right End, Xcess Baggage and Only Wheat Not White. The last part of her ‘Right and Wrong’ love trilogy will be out in Summer 2016.
Over to Varsha
Humor in Women’s Fiction
When I think of funny women, I think of Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Mindy Kaling. Thankfully for an avid reader like myself, they also wrote books. Books rich in humor, observations and opinions! I would like to share with you some quotes from their books.
“Once a woman turns 40 she has to start dealing with two things: younger men telling her they are proud of her and older men letting her know they would have sex with her.” – Amy Poehler, Yes Please
“In most cases being a good boss means hiring talented people and then getting out of their way.” ― Tina Fey, Bossypants
“I just want ambitious teenagers to know it is totally fine to be quite, observant kids. Besides being a delight to your parents, you will find you have plenty of time later to catch up.” ― Mindy Kaling, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
What makes people laugh is wit and wit can only come from a person who is smart, observant and has struggled. All that we women face growing up; lack of equal opportunities, lack of sexual freedom, born in families that makes decisions for us based on society’s expectations rather than our desires, lack of equal pay and the ultimate – the feeling of guilt when we like to work as much we like to have kids.
Tragedy I feel makes for great comedy especially when you look back at it, a drink in your hand sitting on a balcony overlooking something big and powerful as oceans or mountains.
Women writers have a large source to draw their inspiration and ironic reflections from – each of their lives. A sexy woman is not frightening but a woman with brains and humor is deadlier than a live bomb for she will get your job and make it seem your fault.
Women writers don’t hold back on anything. They go after age, sex, job, men, children, society the world and even god. That’s what makes them so good at their job, they see the whole chessboard.
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Thanks for sharing your views, Varsha.
I agree that humor comes from deep understanding. That is why jokes are often relevant with culture. These days, I’m very involved with humor through sarcasm. Sarcasm always carries humor in it, though it is snide in its way. I often use it with my students who are not doing the tasks, of course not the sharp type of sarcasm. But telling them I don’t like you and don’t want to see you around next year makes them laugh while taking the point that they might flunk if they don’t shape up. Though they get confused what to say when I ask them, do you like the class so much you want to stay here next session? It can’t be answered in a yes or no 🙂
Do you love to read humorous fiction? Which are your favorite reads? What do you think about humor in women’s fiction?
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