Jewish Wry: Essays on Jewish HumorJewish Wry examines the development of Jewish humor in a series of essays on topics that range from Sholom Aleichem's humor to Jewish comediennes through to the humor of Philip Roth. When the Jews of Eastern Europe came to the United States in the 19th century, they brought with them their own special humor. Developed in response to the dissonant reality of their lives, their self-critical humor served as a source of salvation, enabling them to endure a painful history with a sense of power. In America, the marginal status of immigrant Jews prompted them to use humor a a defense, exaggerating or mocking their ethnicity as events dictated. Jewish Wry examines the development of Jewish humor in a series of essays on topics that range from Sholom Aleichem's humor to Jewish comediennes through to the humor of Philip Roth. This important book offers enjoyable reading as well as a significant and scholarly contribution to the field. |
Contents
The Nature of Jewish Laughter | 16 |
On Sholom Aleichems Humor | 37 |
The Thrust of Jewish | 53 |
Laughtermakers | 80 |
From Sophie Tucker | 105 |
The Neurotic Jew as American Clown | 125 |
Jewish Comedy and | 141 |
The Jewish SitDown Comedy of Philip Roth | 158 |
Stanley Elkin and Jewish Black Humor | 178 |
Mordecai Richler and JewishCanadian Humor | 196 |
Is There Humor in Israeli Literature and If Not Why | 216 |
A SELECTED CHECKLIST ON JEWISH HUMOR | 234 |