Question

Given below are the features that make the essay humourous:

1. the theme
2. the choice of words used to describe the insects
3. the style of narration - the exalting the status of insects and exaggerating their powers of both sound and performance

• With your partner, pick out words and phrases from the text as examples of features (ii) and (iii)
• Based on the above, write a paragraph of 150-200 words on the use of humour with reference to “The Hum of Insects”

Answer 1

Humour in “The Hum of Insects” comes from the contrast between the insects’ small size and the grand importance the narrator gives them. The essay’s choice of words, including terms such as “drill,” “reprisals” and “infallible,” creates a mock-serious tone, as though the insects were powerful characters with plans and authority. The narrator also elevates their status by describing their hum and performance in exaggerated terms. Their sounds seem more impressive than their tiny bodies could reasonably produce, and their actions are presented almost like a grand spectacle. This playful exaggeration turns ordinary insects into performers and makes the narrator’s account amusing. The humour is strengthened by the calm, confident style of narration: instead of treating the insects as insignificant, the narrator appears to take their achievements seriously. Readers recognise the gap between this lofty description and the insects’ actual size and abilities. Thus, the essay’s humour depends on its lively vocabulary, exaggerated praise and humorous contrast between reality and the narrator’s grand presentation.