--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That's the great test: if you're going to…" description: "\"That's the great test: if you're going to be a great comic writer, not a humorist, you've got to take it into the throat of grief. Can you make laughte..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc4/howard-jacobson-1484_close_that-s-the-great-test-if-you-re-going-to_2967492.jpg" --- # That's the great test: if you're going to be a great comic… ![“That's the great test: if you're going to be a great comic writer, not a humorist, you've got to take it into the throat of grief. Can you make laughter and seriousness so close that they are the same thing?” quote by Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc4/howard-jacobson-1484_close_that-s-the-great-test-if-you-re-going-to_2967492.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc4/howard-jacobson-1484_close_that-s-the-great-test-if-you-re-going-to_2967492.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc4/howard-jacobson-1484_close_that-s-the-great-test-if-you-re-going-to_2967492.jpg) > “That's the great test: if you're going to be a great comic writer, not a humorist, you've got to take it into the throat of grief. Can you make laughter and seriousness so close that they are the same thing?” [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A comic writer must confront grief directly, blending humor and seriousness so tightly they become indistinguishable. **In simple terms:** Comedy must face grief head‑on. Key Takeaway Embrace pain to create profound humor. Themes grief comedy seriousness artistic risk Mood thought‑provoking challenging Type essay philosophical When to use this quote - stand‑up routines - satirical essays - personal memoirs Key Concepts dualities emotional catharsis creative tension Questions to Reflect On - How can humor honor sorrow without trivializing it? - What techniques merge opposing tones? A Different Perspective Balancing grief and humor can alienate audiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Grief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grief/) [Laughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughter/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I think laughter is crucial. 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