That's Farce, That's Theatre, That's Life

Mencken's essay, "On Being an American" reminded me of a quote that I used to have posted in my room. "Life is a tragedy for those that feel, and a comedy for those that think." This quote has been claimed by Horace Walpole, Jean de la Bruyere, and Moliere; but no one has been able to decide which one actually said it first. But that doesn't make much difference; what does it the significance of the quote. In relation to Mencken's essay, the quote weaves in perfectly. For Mencken sees Americans as players in a theatrical performance and it's hysterical to him. To some what he describes would seem horrible. Slapstick comedy for instance, Mencken uses throughout the essay, many don't like that sort of comedy. They see it as crude and mean but he finds it amusing. When that's applied to life, things get a bit twisted. The same goes for the presidential debates, they are supposed to be straight forward arguments. Mencken sees the comedy in it and brings it out.

There are many things that happen in America that are comedic when it's just thought about. If people stop "feeling" about things, and that's not to say that feelings are bad because they aren't, it's just to say that Americans have a tendency to take events personally. Even when the events didn't happen to them individually. Oh, the multi-million dollar football player that sits on the bench for half the season played one game, he tore a muscle and now you think the team has no chance of making it to the Super Bowl? Really, you want to tell me that's the reason they aren't going? Little things like that are funny and yet people get so worked up over them. Even if something does happen to someone individually, it can still be funny. Take the football example again. The quarter back that never lets you down except when it's cold and sometimes when it's raining too hard just messed up again? And you're going to throw a fit because you're not going to win your fantasy football game. It's a small thing but still comedic.

Mencken is pointing out that there are many things that happen to us that should be considered comedic and not end-of-the-world problems. Living in America is a good thing. We should be happy to live here not complain about it. There are people who live in worse conditions after all.