Read the given passage and answer the four questions that follow:-
I do not claim to tell a story as it ought to be told, but I know how a story should be told, for I have been in the company of expert storytellers for years. There are several kinds of stories, but only one difficult kind-the humorous story. The humorous story depends for its effect upon the manner of telling; the comic and the witty story, upon the matter.
A humorous story can be long and meander without arriving at a particular point, but comic and witty stories must be brief and end with a punch. The humorous story is a high and delicate art that requires an artist to tell, whereas the comic and witty stories do not need artistic skill. The humorous story is told gravely, with the teller attempting to conceal the humor. The comic storyteller, on the other hand, announces beforehand that the story is very funny and laughs at his own jokes.
Often, a rambling, humorous story may finish with a point, but the storyteller drops it casually, with the pretense that he does not know it is a nub. In contrast, the comic storyteller does not slur the nub; he shouts it at you and when he prints it he emphasizes the punchline with italics and exclamation marks, which is very depressing, and makes one want to renounce joking and lead a better life.
How is the humour in a humorous story typically conveyed?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → by telling the story gravely and concealing the humour.
The passage says "The humorous story is told gravely, with the teller attempting to conceal the humor." Told gravely means told with a serious face; the teller acts as if he does not see anything funny in it.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: by announcing beforehand that the story is funny. — Incorrect. Wrong link: announcing beforehand is what the comic storyteller does, not the teller of a humorous story.
Option 3: by explicitly exaggerating the punchline. — Incorrect. Contradicted: the humorous teller drops the point casually; stressing the punchline is the comic teller's way.
Option 4: by shouting the punchline loudly through narrative markers. — Incorrect. Wrong link: shouting the nub at the listener is again the comic storyteller's habit.