Thoughts on Freud

 Victoria Sabatino 

Humor Studies

February 12, 2023

Thoughts on Freud

I want to discuss one of Freud’s processes of humor, specifically his first one. On page 112, Freud talks about how there might be two people, one humorous and one or two spectators who laugh at something the humorous one said or did (even without the intention of being funny). The reaction of the observer is what makes this humor, and Freud gives the example of the man in the jail cell. Freud states that this is less of a sense of humor, but more of a satisfaction. 

I mostly just wanted to comment and say that I find this type of under-your-breath humor to be very funny. When you pay attention to others, they will say things under their breath that you will find yourself laughing at. Also, this makes me think of the character Dennis from It’s Always Sunny, as he has a type of humor where he will get angry and restate the obvious, or mutter under his breath. I feel as though a lot of the writers we have already looked at this semester would agree and I am sure demonstrate this type of humor, especially Sedaris. It is one not for attention, but for a release of emotions or satisfaction as Freud would argue.


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