Books Quote by V. S. Pritchett
“The difference between farce and humour in literature is, I suppose, that farce strums louder and louder on one string, while humour varies its note, changes its key, grows and spreads and deepens until it may indeed reach tragic depths.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Theory of Drama, V. S. Pritchett, 1975
Farce relies on repetitive, loud jokes while humour evolves, deepens, and can become tragic.
In simple terms: Farce is loud; humour grows and deepens.
Key Takeaway
Recognize humor’s depth beyond surface jokes.
Themes
literature
humor
farce
tragedy
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
critical
observational
When to use this quote
- playwriting
- stand‑up comedy
- novel writing
- film script analysis
Key Concepts
Narrative technique
tone modulation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does a joke become tragic?
- When does humor lose its edge?
A Different Perspective
Humor may still be superficial if not crafted with nuance.
