Quote by Max Eastman

A joke is not a thing but a process, a trick you play on the listener's mind. You start him off toward a plausible goal, and then by a sudden twist you land him nowhere at all or just where he didn't expect to go.

A joke is not a thing but a process, a trick you play on the

Summary

This quote highlights that a joke is not simply a statement or an object, but rather a strategic process that manipulates the listener's expectations and perceptions. The speaker suggests that a successful joke involves leading the listener towards a seemingly logical outcome, only to abruptly divert them to an unexpected or nonsensical conclusion. The humor lies in this unexpected twist, which plays with the listener's anticipation and ultimately surprises them.

Topics

Pleasure

By Max Eastman

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