Modern Theory and Ole Time Lizards

In the chapters on comedic theory, Paul Grawe proposes a new definition of comedy. He asserts the basic message of comedy is “that the human race will survive, that it is destined to carry on” (17). This outlook makes comedy an affirmation of the human spirit, concerned with showing the ability of humanity to persevere, even in the face of adversity. From this single message, Grawes expands into three fundamental principles. The first is that “comedy is a representation of life, not the representation of an action….It is a regular feature of comedy that we have a shrewd estimate of a future beyond the final curtain…” (17-18). Here, comedy need only be a depiction of living, with no need for a completed end (hence, it allows for a belief in something more happening even after the action stops). Next, is the idea that “comedy's assertion is a faith, not a fact” (18). This means it has the capability to look at an impending doom, and still “maintain in faith that the human race has not come to an end yet, that there are still chapters and chapters to write” (18). Again, here is another statement of comedy’s desire to show life continuing. Finally, is the idea of patterning, and that comedy attains meaning by it, since “patterning forces us to recognize the assertion” (18). To put it another way, by repeatedly stating the joke, the comedian makes the audience take in his point.

Why the summary? By sifting through Grawe’s examples, and stripping his definition down to its crux, I hoped to outline a straightforward set of criteria by which to judge the comedic merits of George Washington Harris’ short story, “Parson John Bullen’s Lizards.” Why this story? So far, this is my favorite piece, and after reading these chapters on a relatively recent theory of comedy, I thought it would be interesting to see if my old, beloved story can hold up against some modern scrutiny.

PRINCIPLE 1: Comedy as a representation of life…
Pertaining specifically to the idea that comedy creates a belief in a future, or that life goes on after the action has long since stopped, one simple moment in Harris’ story demonstrates exactly that. After the entire narration, there are those few, splendid words, “Let’s go take a drink” (241). It is not hard at all to assume that this story’s characters will now go to the bar (and maybe even relate more tales like this one). Just because this story ended, that does not mean Sut Lovingood stopped, and with those simple words, Harris ingeniously proposes to his audiences that there is a future beyond his story’s close.

PRINCIPLE 2: Comedy’s assertion is a faith, not a fact...
What impending doom threatens Sut and his fellow townspeople? According to Parson Bullen, it’s “the ole Hell-sarpents” that “would sarve em if they didn’t repent” (238). Of course, through Sut’s prank on the Parson, Harris’ story maintains that the “Hell-sarpents” have not yet brought about humanity’s end, and in fact, they are a foolish threat to existence. Also, Sut’s prank exposes the ridiculousness in some of the catastrophes people predict, further serving as a reminder that despite it all, the human race continues.

PRINCIPLE 3: The presence of patterning…
Honestly, this part is not outright obvious, but it is still there. In the opening moments of the story, the reader does not begin the narrative, but rather, is looking over a wanted poster describing exactly what Sut did to Parson Bullen (although, no mention of the lizards yet). The poster is the first in the sequence, with the actual camp-meeting where Sut committed the offense, following shortly thereafter. At the sermon, the joke starts again from the beginning, but essentially, it is still a repeat, given the audience has already read about the outcome of Sut’s little prank.

So, the above shows Harris’ story has all three principles, but what about comedy’s basic message of human survival? The fact that lowly Sut outsmarted the supposedly better Bullen, escaped an angry mob, has yet to be caught, and still is able to relate the entire event to a friend (and us), certainly seems to be Harris’ way of saying there are many more chapters left in the story of humanity, “Hell-sarpents” notwithstanding.

Grawe, Paul H. Comedy in Space, Time, and the Imagination. ?: Burnham Inc., 1983.

Harris, George Washington. “Parson John Bullen’s Lizards.” Roy Blount’s Book of Southern Humor. Ed. Roy Blount, Jr. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1994. 235-241.