KSVIETNAM

Kai Shen 2.Farce Comedy Christopher Durang is a master of farce comedy. He uses this genre with great effect in several of his works, including __The Vietnamization of New Jersey.__ A farce comedy is generally a satirical work that has stereotyped characters, improbable situations, and physical humor. Throughout the play, Durang uses each of these elements with an effect that is often shocking to the audience. There are many unusual characters in this play. Hazel, the maid, is an African-American who is looked down upon by the parents. The parents often try, although without success, to implement their will and assert their authority over her. At one point, Ozzie shouts to Hazel, “Go back to Africa!” Et, the younger son, is a stereotypical teenager who does not listen to his parents. Also, the parents are typical in that they do not understand their teenage son. Liat, who Davie brings home as his wife, speaks in an Asian accent and uses terrible grammar. Many of the scenes throughout the play involve highly improbable and sometimes ridiculous situations. In the beginning of the play, Et pours cereal into the front of his pants and eats from them. Hazel then reaches into his pants and puts the cereal back into the box. When Davie returns home blind, his father is reluctant to accept him. Harry hits Davie on the head and asks, “can you see now?” Taken out of context, this could be seen as very rude and even offensive, but in context of the play, it simply adds to the hilarity. In addition, there are many other absurd and improbable situations, such as Et and Liat having sex on the couch in front of Harry and Ozzie, Larry setting bear traps to try to kill Davie, and Liat’s revelation that she is actually Irish. Much of the humor of the play can be accounted towards physical actions. Hazel rings a bell every time someone says something significant, and keeps track of the score between Harry and Ozzie. At the start of the second scene of the first act, Liat is eating cereal out of Et’s pants. When Davie and Et shout insults at Ozzie, Ozzie slaps Et, and Et slaps her back. All of these situations are absurd and blatantly shocking, but add to the satirical humor of the play.  Many animated shows on TV use farce comedy to create humor, such as the Simpsons and Family Guy. These shows go through the roof to create ridiculous situations that are hilarious. Also, many of these shows, especially Family Guy, satirize many aspects of modern culture through its plots and characters. Often times, audiences will hear a joke mocking a specific person or event.