I used to think that humor was the only way to appreciate how wonderful and terrible the world is, to celebrate how big life is. But now I think the opposite. Humor is a way of shrinking from that wonderful and terrible world.
The quote from Jonathan Safran Foer's "Everything Is Illuminated" reflects a transformative realization about the role of humor in facing life's complexities. Initially, the speaker perceives humor as a means to celebrate the vastness of existence and to acknowledge both its beauty and its darkness. However, this perspective shifts, leading to the understanding that humor may sometimes serve as an escape from confronting the true nature of the world, rather than an embrace of it.
This evolution in thinking suggests a deeper engagement with reality. Rather than reducing the enormity of life's experiences to jokes or lightheartedness, the author proposes that one must confront the wondrous and daunting aspects of life without relying solely on humor as a buffer. This introspection invites readers to consider their own responses to life's challenges and the reasons behind using humor as a coping mechanism.
