The Strength Of Humor

Boyang, a famous Taiwanese writer of contemporary, critical prose, has founded a new era of Chinese prose writing after Luxun, the greatest author in Chinese history. Boyang's works, especially his works of the mid 80s', represented by "The Ugly Chinese", has established his criticisms of the dregs of Chinese traditional culture as an extreme.One of the most outstanding characteristics of his prose is his style of humor. Comparing with the other Taiwanese writers of the same period, his style of humor is the most outstanding. Again, comparing with Luxun, colloquially known as 'the Humor Master', similarities and differences are noticeable in both Boyang's and Luxun's styles of humor.However, Boyang drew humorous materials from various aspects of common peoples' lives. Boyang has created his own humorous style with vivid characteristics forming his own system of comedy, and these characteristics are what have impressed his prose readers the most.Five main elements, reflected fully in Boyang's style of humor, have proven to be vital in the creation of successful prose works. These five elements are the interest of principles, the interest of matters, the interest of wording, and the interest of temperaments and images. The interactions of these five main elements compose the irresistible strength of his humorous literature.Taking the similarities and differences of the styles of humor in both Boyang's and Luxun's prose as a theoretical base, this essay analyses the sources of Boyang's humor, and further paraphrases the specific characteristics and roles embodied in his prose. It reveals the source of the strength of the charm and vitality that is displayed in his comedic articles.Boyang was brought up as a common person in a traditional Chinese culture. However, he dared to turn his back on it and examine and criticize the less desirable components of it. Also, he could point to what he believed were the unreasonable causes of the illness in it using his style of humor. By employing humor, he also showed his passion for his nation. This is the value in reading his prose. By studying and understanding his humor, we should better understand the strength shown in his works, and, in the process, better understand ourselves as Chinese.