Difference Between Wit and Humor

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      Humor and Wit are often thought to be of similar characteristics. Both are used as fundamental literary devices in works of art. Still there remains some clear distinction between the two terms. Wit can be defined as a keen intelligence that an individual has. A witty individual can make remarks that have a sense of intelligence. Humor, on the other hand, has to be understood as the quality of being amusing. The key difference between the two is that while wit emphasizes intelligence through humor, the latter does not. Unlike wit, it always results in amusement. Wit involves a very quick and clever mental sharpness; being able to see a situation in a unique way and instinctively being able to respond with a relevant comment or comeback. Sometimes wit can be funny, other times, just clever. Humor, in contrast, always involves amusement outwardly manifested by a smile, chuckle or laughter.

      Wit makes a humorous situation more humorous by commenting, usually ironically: A humorous person slips on a banana peel; a witty person comments, ’’Nice form!” A familiar example of wit is the comic monologue, where the stand-up comedian observes the oddities, foolishness, or humor of human life or society, then makes these qualities funnier through association, extension, irony, or expansion. Similarly, Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, is famous with Jane Aus'ten’s use humor. She presents a very hilarious scene between Mr. And Mrs. Bennet, as Mrs. Bennet endlessly breaks down and makes complaints for his lack of understanding her nerves, and then he responds by saying, “You mistake Trie, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least.” He constantly pokes fun at her. Likewise, Austen bursts with humor in case of Elizabeth and Darcy, as upon their first meeting both feel a sense of disgust for each other. However, later they enjoy teasing each other.

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