The humorous story is told gravely; the teller does his best to conceal the fact that he even dimly suspects that there is anything funny about it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Effective humor often relies on a serious delivery that hides the teller's amusement.
- In plain terms
- Funny stories work best when told seriously without showing you think they are funny.
- What can you take from it?
- Deadpan delivery can enhance comedic effect.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does tone change meaning?
- Why do some jokes fail if told too excitedly?
Another view
Some audiences prefer obvious humor over subtlety.
More from Mark Twain
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