In many works of literature, writers employ sexual humor to explore and critique societal attitudes towards eroticism and gender roles. This can take several forms, including comedic depictions of taboo subjects such as masturbation, fetishes, and homosexuality; parodies of traditional gender roles through exaggerated depictions of stereotypical masculinity or femininity; and satires that skewer hypocrisy and double standards around sexual behavior. By using humor to bring these issues into sharp relief, writers can challenge their audience's assumptions about what is appropriate or acceptable when it comes to matters of sex and gender.
One example of this type of literary approach is found in Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal," which is widely considered one of the greatest examples of satiric writing in English literature. In this essay, Swift proposes that the Irish solve their economic problems by eating babies, an idea so absurd that it forces readers to reconsider their own beliefs about poverty and social justice. But by taking this extreme position, he also highlights the hypocrisy of those who would rather ignore the plight of the poor than address its root causes. Similarly, in Joseph Heller's "Catch-22," the character Yossarian struggles with a military bureaucracy that forces him to fly combat missions despite his fear of death, but finds himself thwarted at every turn by a catch-22—a rule that makes it impossible for him to be grounded without being declared insane. The absurdist humor of the novel suggests that the system itself is fundamentally broken and unjust.
Another example is found in John Updike's short story collection, "Rabbit Run." This series of stories follows the lives of Harry Angstrom and his wife, Janice, as they struggle with their marriage and his extramarital affairs. Throughout the book, Updike uses humor to explore the complexities of masculinity and femininity, with Harry struggling to maintain his manhood while Janice grows increasingly frustrated with her role as a housewife and mother. The result is a powerful portrait of the challenges faced by many couples in modern society.
By using sexual humor to interrogate societal discomfort with eroticism and gender roles, writers can expose the underlying assumptions and double standards that shape our attitudes towards these issues. By doing so, they can challenge us to reconsider our own beliefs and behaviors, and ultimately create a more nuanced understanding of what it means to be human.
How does literature employ sexual humor to interrogate societal discomfort with eroticism and gender?
Literature has been known to utilize sexual humor as a means of challenging societal norms regarding sex and gender roles, often by poking fun at social expectations through satire, parody, or comedic scenarios.