Goss tells Bernie that the problem with Berliners is that “You take nothing seriously. Everything’s a joke.” He goes on to say, “Never laugh in the face of villainy.” (p.71) What’s your opinion of this advice?
I absolutely agree you should never laugh in the face of villainy and because Berliners werent taking things seriously they continued to laugh not understanding a villain was taking over
I think this is an interesting question. It seems like laughing at villainy is the only break we get these days. It’s not that we’re ignoring it or excusing it or thinking it’s unimportant. It’s that we need to laugh at it to keep from crying.
I the context of the novel, though, I don’t know that Goss is right. People weren’t laughing at villainy so much as ignoring it.
Laughing at villainy may indicate to the perpetrators that you do not care, or that you are minimizing the depth of the villainy. Berliners seemed to disbelieve the reality of the situation they found themselves in.
I do think that humor can be a very strong weapon against villains. Making fun of politicians and particular legal decisions has often been an effective defense and brough about change, Comedians and political cartoons have changed how something is perceived. Besides, personally I just need a break from the constant doomsday scrolling!
However, there is also a need to take things seriously.
I have lived in Berlin, and there is a feeling of not taking things seriously. There seems to be a desire to just leave everything alone and move on with your own life because “we are a big city.” There is more of a desire to have fun and be relaxed. The phrase that was often used was that if you wanted to get lost, go to Berlin. Of course, this is a generalization and is not entirely true, but I certainly felt a difference in Berlin than say Munich.
I agree. laughing gives them permission to continiue-- and push another step more.