“ The increasing seriousness of things, then that's the great opportunity of jokes. ”
Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady (1881). copy citation
| Author | Henry James |
|---|---|
| Source | The Portrait of a Lady |
| Topic | seriousness joke |
| Date | 1881 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2833/2833-h/2833-h.htm |
Context
“When there are no jokes you've nothing left.»
«Fortunately there are always more jokes,» the ugly young man remarked.
«I don't believe it—I believe things are getting more serious. You young men will find that out.»
«The increasing seriousness of things, then that's the great opportunity of jokes.»
«They'll have to be grim jokes,» said the old man. «I'm convinced there will be great changes, and not all for the better.»
«I quite agree with you, sir,» Lord Warburton declared. «I'm very sure there will be great changes, and that all sorts of queer things will happen.” source
«Fortunately there are always more jokes,» the ugly young man remarked.
«I don't believe it—I believe things are getting more serious. You young men will find that out.»
«The increasing seriousness of things, then that's the great opportunity of jokes.»
«They'll have to be grim jokes,» said the old man. «I'm convinced there will be great changes, and not all for the better.»
«I quite agree with you, sir,» Lord Warburton declared. «I'm very sure there will be great changes, and that all sorts of queer things will happen.” source
Meaning and analysis
