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This chapter investigates the psychological and rhetorical functions of dark comedy as an agent of ecological consciousness in contemporary literature and environmental discourse. Drawing on foundational theories from humor psychology (Chapman & Foot, Humour and laughter: Theory, research and applications. Transaction Publishers, 1976; Martin, The psychology of humor: An integrative approach. Elsevier Academic Press, 2007) and integrating sociological and environmental perspectives, the chapter demonstrates how humor—especially in its darker, satirical modes—can subvert resistance, foster cognitive openness, and inspire critical engagement with the complexities of the Capitalocene. Through mechanisms of incongruity and surprise, humor interrupts entrenched cognitive patterns and enables audiences to reconsider their assumptions about sustainability, consumerism, and environmental justice without triggering defensiveness or apathy. By analyzing key literary case studies—including Jonathan Coe’s The Rotters’ Club, Hanif Kureishi’s The Buddha of Suburbia, Ali Smith’s There But For The, and Kate Tempest’s Brand New Ancients—the discussion foregrounds the role of dark comedy in reframing ecological grief, cultivating empathy, and empowering agency in the face of daunting global challenges. Satirical narratives do not simply provide comic relief; they also act as powerful mediators for collective reflection, exposing contradictions within greenwashing, eco-capitalism, and governmental inaction. Research from environmental psychology and sociology further reveals that humor’s emotional resonance enhances its persuasive impact, facilitating the formation of social bonds and community resilience while lowering barriers to behavioral change. Ultimately, the chapter contends that dark comedy, far from trivializing crisis, emerges as a vital resource for navigating eco-anxiety, challenging complacency, and sparking hope. The chapter concludes by identifying promising directions for future interdisciplinary research into the cultural, psychological, and ethical dimensions of ecological humor, calling for nuanced, cross-cultural approaches that recognize humor’s potential—and its limits—as a tool for transformative ecological engagement.

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Mechanisms of Environmental Consciousness-Raising Through Dark Comedy

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2025年

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  • Mohammad Rahmatullah,
  • Tanu Gupta,
  • Nagendra Kumar

摘要

This chapter investigates the psychological and rhetorical functions of dark comedy as an agent of ecological consciousness in contemporary literature and environmental discourse. Drawing on foundational theories from humor psychology (Chapman & Foot, Humour and laughter: Theory, research and applications. Transaction Publishers, 1976; Martin, The psychology of humor: An integrative approach. Elsevier Academic Press, 2007) and integrating sociological and environmental perspectives, the chapter demonstrates how humor—especially in its darker, satirical modes—can subvert resistance, foster cognitive openness, and inspire critical engagement with the complexities of the Capitalocene. Through mechanisms of incongruity and surprise, humor interrupts entrenched cognitive patterns and enables audiences to reconsider their assumptions about sustainability, consumerism, and environmental justice without triggering defensiveness or apathy. By analyzing key literary case studies—including Jonathan Coe’s The Rotters’ Club, Hanif Kureishi’s The Buddha of Suburbia, Ali Smith’s There But For The, and Kate Tempest’s Brand New Ancients—the discussion foregrounds the role of dark comedy in reframing ecological grief, cultivating empathy, and empowering agency in the face of daunting global challenges. Satirical narratives do not simply provide comic relief; they also act as powerful mediators for collective reflection, exposing contradictions within greenwashing, eco-capitalism, and governmental inaction. Research from environmental psychology and sociology further reveals that humor’s emotional resonance enhances its persuasive impact, facilitating the formation of social bonds and community resilience while lowering barriers to behavioral change. Ultimately, the chapter contends that dark comedy, far from trivializing crisis, emerges as a vital resource for navigating eco-anxiety, challenging complacency, and sparking hope. The chapter concludes by identifying promising directions for future interdisciplinary research into the cultural, psychological, and ethical dimensions of ecological humor, calling for nuanced, cross-cultural approaches that recognize humor’s potential—and its limits—as a tool for transformative ecological engagement.