I came across this quote by Oscar Wilde, “One must have a heart of stone to read the death of little Nell without laughing.” Little Nell is a character in The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens. Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde was a poet and playwright in the late 19th century. One more bit of information – little Nell went through many problems before her death in that novel by Charles Dickens. The story was obviously written to, at the very least, tug at your heartstrings when she dies. I think Charles Dickens hoped you would be crying when little Nell passes away. I am also sure Oscar Wilde, his shorter name, hoped you would either be offended or laugh at what he had to say. He seemed to take great pleasure in poking at the Victorian norms Lookedto offend his readers and make his devotees smiled to themselves. George Carlin was someone who enjoyed doing the same to 20th-century norms.
We need more people like Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde – don’t you love that name? – and George Carlin commenting on today’s absurdities. Politicians often do that unintentionally. Take Representative Andrew Clyd, a Republican from Georgia, commented that January 6 looked like “normal tourist visits.” It reminds me of a comment by probably Mark Twain that said politicians are better heard when their mouths are shut. Ordinary people can make unintentional comments that turn out humorous too. I remember seeing an average person saying on television that our last president was appointed by God help the United States. Wow! Not even good old George Washington, who slept everywhere, managed to be appointed by God.
I’m sure you can see the need for people like Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde, or George Carlin in today’s world. How about the current trend toward selfies? – Like using the front-facing camera on their cell phone to take a picture of their butt! Wouldn’t Oscar Wilde, his short name, would have fun with people’s oversharing on the Internet, i.e., my hemorrhoids sure hurt today!? Technology creates some absurdities. My new gas range is Wi-Fi enabled. I can actually turn on my gas range from Australia as if I were frying a morning egg?!? Why go on? I’m sure you can see and hear and read many things that need an Oscar Wilde or George Carlin to comment on.
