dark humor short stories

Dark humor short stories often feature unexpected or absurd situations. For example, characters might find themselves in a completely illogical yet real - ish situation, like in 'The Metamorphosis' where a man turns into an insect.

Dark humor short stories also tend to play with taboos. They might touch on topics like death, violence, or social norms in a way that is not typical. By breaking these boundaries in a humorous context, they create a unique and often thought - provoking reading experience. This can make the reader both uncomfortable and amused at the same time.

They are often satirical. For example, they might mock the empty promises of politicians. Like when a politician says he'll cut taxes but then raises other fees instead.

They usually play on the flaws and absurdities of human nature. In a short story, a miser who is so stingy that he tries to bargain with the Grim Reaper to take someone else instead of him. The combination of the serious concept of death and the ridiculous behavior of the miser creates that dark humorous effect.

Roald Dahl's 'Lamb to the Slaughter' is also a great example. A wife kills her husband with a frozen leg of lamb and then cooks it and serves it to the police who come to investigate. The contrast between the grisly act and the domestic, almost comical situation that follows is full of dark humor.

One is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It's about a small town's annual lottery, which seems like a normal event at first but takes a dark turn when the 'winner' is stoned to death. It uses the concept of tradition to create a sense of dark humor.

One characteristic is the unexpectedness. They often have a twist that catches you off - guard, like in the story where the doctor says 'I'll deal with you later' to the man who thinks he's a deck of cards. Another is that they can be a bit macabre. For example, the skeleton asking for a beer and a mop. It's not your typical humorous situation but it makes you laugh because it's so absurd and a little bit creepy at the same time. Also, they sometimes play with taboos or uncomfortable topics in a way that still manages to be funny, without being too offensive.

Sure. Here is one: A man goes to the doctor and says, 'Doctor, I think I'm a moth.' The doctor says, 'Well, why did you come in here then?' The man replies, 'The light was on.' This short story has a touch of dark humor as it plays on the man's delusion in a rather unexpected and somewhat morbid way.

Once, a politician gave a long speech about reducing waste. But right after that, he ordered a ten - course meal just for himself at a fancy restaurant. It's like he was saying one thing but doing the complete opposite, which is a bit of a dark political humor in itself.

Here is one. A man goes to the doctor and says, 'Doctor, I think I'm a moth.' The doctor says, 'I'm a doctor, not a psychiatrist. Why did you come here?' The man replies, 'Well, your light was on.'