Humor and Introspection through Memes in the Pandemic

The severity of Indian lockdown brought normal life to a standstill and connection with the outside world was nightmarish in quality. The restrictions imposed made people withdraw within homes and maintain a semblance of normal life which very soon crumbled amidst the fear and uncertainty of coming days. As the lockdown continued, life seemed to increasingly revolve around the virtual world. The government decisions from time to time added to the bizarre nature of life during the lockdown. A daily dose of humor through memes acted as a social commentary on the incongruity of decisions. Memes became ways through which the dark world became easier to handle with the ability to laugh at one’s own predicament. The meme culture at the same time also emphasized the lopsided nature of our society especially the divide between those who have digital access and those who do not in a country like India. This paper will look into the ways in which memes reflected on the pandemic and the lockdown, especially the government directives, as well as highlighting the marked divide with respect to access to humor through memes in India.