Midge

 Laura Latham

EN 446D 01

February 26, 2023

Midge’s Humor Theory

It is a common practice for indigenous people to use comedy as relief from tragedy. Midge utilizes a dry sense of humor to poke at the irony in American society and its treatment of indigenous people in the U.S. Her sense of humor serves the same purpose as Irby’s, however hers is more narrowly targeted at indigenous people, meanwhile, Irby points at a slew of social issues. Even the comedy that is autobiographical in Midge’s work serves the purpose of being an example for society. 

Midge shows how her and her mother have utilized comedy in times of tragedy such as death. For instance, Midge’s mom tells a waitress that complements her earrings that she can have them because she is dying, and instead of having a serious conversation with her daughter about what is to be done with her remains, Midge’s mom instructs her to bury her heart at Chuck E Cheese and at SeaWorld. This implies irony in that these are extremely happy children’s entertainment places. Midge starts the book with this sort of humor, which indicates that she is using it as an example for how all tragedies and misfortunes in life should be handled. Therefore, when Midge makes jokes about American society and the mistreatment of indigenous people, it is to be understood that she is not only using humor to provoke social change, but for indigenous people to utilize as a coping mechanism. For instance, her “Champion our Native Sisters” chapter is meant for the sole purpose of provoking societal change and the way that activists go about their business. In contrast, “Taking Thanksgiving Back” is meant to expose the history of racism and mistreatment that indigenous people have faced since Columbus reached the Americas.