Citation

Lester D. Death Stud. 2012; 36(7): 664-674.

Affiliation

Psychology Program, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Galloway, New Jersey 08205-9441, USA. lesterd@stockton.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

24563944

Abstract

This article is intended to engage others in a dialogue about the role and meaning of jokes about suicide. Types of jokes involving suicide are examined to distinguish the different types of humor involved. A sample of 118 recent political cartoons in an online website was downloaded, of which 73 concerned suicide bombers. Examples of suicide cartons and jokes involving disparagement, incongruity, repression, and ridiculousness are provided. Although in some contexts, such as suicidal terrorism, these themes may be appropriate, a few cartons and jokes that addressed ordinary suicidal individuals were often hostile.

Language: en