Various books conceal deeper and darker meanings within the texts, some more obvious than others. One book is “Me Talk Pretty One Day” by David Sedaris. Another book is “Running in the Family” by Michael Ondaatje. Although both books are written differently, one major point in both books is the use of humor. Both authors seem to believe that humor is necessary during tough times. This may suggest that even the subtle use of humor takes away some seriousness to the situations and bring light to them instead, thus easing anxiety for both the readers and the authors, as well as making it easier for the authors to rewrite about the difficult past. Humor and comic relief are provided to ease tension and depression the readers may have otherwise. …show more content…
Throughout “Me Talk Pretty One Day”, Sedaris is constantly trying to cover up his insecurities with humorous content. An event that represents his true feelings is with his artwork and life as an artist. Unfortunately for Sedaris, his life of art is dependent on being high on drugs. Once the drugs were finished, everyone met at Sedaris’ apartment “hoping that somebody had drugs. Someone would reach into his pocket and everyone would perk up until the hand returned bearing nothing” (Sedaris, pg. 56). Continuing on, Sedaris understood that “ a fistful of burning hair could not begin to represent the mess he had made of his life” (Sedaris, pg. 57). Similarly, deeper issues can be detected in Ondaatje’s “Running in the Family”. Alcohol plays an important role in Ondaatje’s family, especially with Mervyn. Mervyn is “humorous and gentle when sober, but will utterly change and would do anything to get alcohol” (Ondaatje, pg. 40). Alcohol is introduced from the beginning of the book, and although it was described lightly, Ondaatje foreshadows the negative role alcohol will have on Mervyn and his life as the novel progresses. One way alcohol ruined Mervyn is that it left Ondaatje’s mother “looking out of her Colombo window, thinking of a divorce” while Mervyn “wakes after three days of alcohol” (Ondaatje, pg.