Class 12 English Unit 7 Humour

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

(Note: ‘grin’ generally means a broad smile and can be associated with happiness, but in contrast to a vocal laugh, it might be categorized differently depending on the context; ‘groan’ is clearly an antonym.)

Yes, I completely agree with the statement that “the couples, who laugh together, stay together.” A shared sense of humour is an incredibly attractive trait. There is abundant cross-cultural evidence that clearly shows that being funny makes you more desirable as a mate. Simply having a funny bond doesn’t necessarily mean you two are the perfect match in every aspect, but apparently, being able to laugh at the exact same things makes your partnership even stronger.

A good sense of humour makes a person more psychologically attractive and relatable. Laughter is called the best medicine not without a strong reason, and this holds profoundly true for couples who might be going through stressful, challenging times. Scientific studies have proved time and again how laughter helps safely release feel-good hormones (endorphins) that help to rapidly relieve stress and de-escalate fights. So, it’s critically important for married couples to share good laughter and have the same sense of humour whenever they find themselves bogged down by daily trouble and tension.

Crying is a perfectly natural physiological response humans have to a wide range of intense emotions, including sadness, grief, extreme joy, and frustration. Yes, I strongly believe that crying is very good for physical and mental health. The medical benefits of crying have actually been known as far back as the Classical era. Thinkers and physicians of ancient Greece and Rome posited that emotional tears work like a purgative, physically draining off and purifying us.

Today’s psychological thought largely concurs, heavily emphasizing the necessary role of crying as a coping mechanism that allows us to safely release toxic stress and deep emotional pain. When we cry, we actively let out tons of suppressed emotions that allow our body and mind to gently reboot after the release. Crying is particularly important during dark periods of grieving. It may even help the brain to process and finally accept the tragic loss of a loved one. People very often report feeling significantly better and lighter after they cry. That could be because crying forces us to pay strict attention to what triggered us and work through our complex emotions and thoughts. Therefore, crying is an essential form of natural relief and hence it is extremely good for our overall health.

(Here is a descriptive essay about Charlie Chaplin, written by Sarmila:)

Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin was a legendary English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to immense global fame in the silent era. He is mostly famous for his iconic screen persona “the Tramp”. Born on April 16, 1889, in London, Chaplin is universally considered one of the most important and influential figures in the entire history of the film industry. He had been a highly productive and creative film maker for about 75 years before he died in 1977.

Chaplin suffered from extreme poverty and hardship in his childhood. He was sadly sent to a workhouse twice before the age of nine. His mother struggled desperately financially when his father was absent from their lives. When he was just 14, his mother was tragically sent to a mental asylum, leaving him to fend for himself.

Chaplin’s first performances were at local music halls as a stage actor and comedian at the age of 19. He boldly went to the USA where he was successfully scouted for the emerging film industry, and began appearing in 1914 for Keystone Studios. He soon developed the highly relatable “Tramp” persona and formed a massive, devoted fan base. Chaplin directed his own films from an early stage, and meticulously continued to hone his craft. By 1918, he was one of the best-known figures in the global film industry.

What makes his performance and uniqueness stand out is his absolute creative control. Chaplin wrote, directed, produced, edited, starred in, and composed the beautiful music for most of his films. He was an intense perfectionist, and his massive financial independence enabled him to spend years on the development and production of a single picture, ensuring that his humour was always mixed perfectly with deep human pathos and universal emotion.