The Use of Humour in The Opposite Sex. :: English Literature

Discuss the use of humour in The Opposite Sex.The Opposite Sex is a microscopical invention, which although diminuitive inlength, fits its purpose well as a humourous short read.The use of language, the portrayal of certain images and the dexteroususe of imagery in literary terms such as similies are all well withinplace in the story- all contributing to the laughable effect that ithas upon its lecturers.I believe that The Opposite Sex is set and based on the times thatthe writer Laurie leeward had when he was a young boy. This helps to linkthe story into modern age circumstances, that although it has been afew years since Lee was a young boy, as proven in my Julius Caesaressay, human nature does not change. Therefore the reader finds iteasier to relate to.The story is written very informally, rather like a chatty style,this helps to create a better link between the writing and the readerthemselves. This is shown in the very initiative line of The OppositeSex. Only six words in, the word sexis used. To many this would beshocking, but also a small pointer in the trouble of an excitingread.When Lee describes how his life was as open as a cucumber frame andthat sex to him was a constant force like the national grid, webegin to see his chimerical use of similies, which are used well byLee to create good humourous effect.One of the funniest parts from the story follows, as Lee describes howhe felt about sex, using lots of tricky similies and using thecomparison between sex and a game of cricket. After years of lazilyinspecting the pitch, came when I was suddenly called to play. Thisshows that Lee had been concious of sex for a long time, but his burstfor it had only just emerged as he was called to play. He thenwrites- There had of course, been early practice at the nets, few ofit solitary... I found this particular extraction from the story veryhumourous, as Lee is using such phallic symbols as these, which ispaving the way for the reader to imagine what he s actually gettingit, so therefore it would apply to everybodys sense of humour. Thenhe writes, ..the occasion arrived when I actually stood at thecrease, bat in hand, ready to strip the willow. I also found thisparticular part very amusing, as mentioned before, I can imagine whathes getting at here. Its a clever use of a set of phallic symbolswhich serve to take place of any crude language and also help to add