Chapter III

When we say “types of humanity”, we mean violent individualities, and nothing stereotyped. But Othello, Falstaff and Pecksniff attract, in our memory, a vivid following. All difference is energy, and a category of humanity a relatively small group, and not the myriads suggested by a generalisation.

A comic type is a failure of a considerable energy, an imitation and standardising of self, suggesting the existence of a uniform humanity,—creating, that is, a little host as like as ninepins; instead of one synthetic and various Ego. It is the laziness of a successful personality. It is often part of our own organism become a fetish.

Sairey Gamp and Falstaff are minute and rich religions. They are illusions hugged and lived in. They are like little dead Totems. Just as all Gods are a repose for humanity, the big religions an immense refuge and rest, so these little grotesque idols are. One reason for this is that, for the spectator or participator, it is a world in a corner of the world, full of rest and security.

Moran, even, advances in life with his rows of bottles and napkins; Julie is Brobdingnag’s Goddess, and figures for intercessions, if the occasion arises.

All these are forms of static and traditional art, then. There is a great deal of divine Olympian sleep in English Humour. The most gigantic spasm of laughter is sculptural, isolated and essentially simple.

IV

1 Laughter is the Wild Body’s song of triumph.

2 Laughter is the climax in the tragedy of seeing, hearing and
smelling self-consciously.

3 Laughter is the bark of delight of a gregarious animal at the
proximity of its kind.

4 Laughter is an independent, tremendously important, and lurid
Emotion.

5 Laughter is the representative of Tragedy, when Tragedy is away.

6 Laughter is the emotion of tragic delight.

7 Laughter is the female of Tragedy.

8 Laughter is the strong elastic fish, caught in Styx, springing
and flapping about until it dies.

9 Laughter is the sudden handshake of mystic violence and the
anarchist.

10 Laughter is the mind sneezing.

11 Laughter is the one obvious commotion that is not complex, or in
expression dynamic.

12 Laughter does not progress. It is primitive, hard and
unchangeable.