Biting Humor

In You're Ugly, Too by Lorrie Moore, Zoe uses jokes extensively. She tells them with no regard to the current situation. They tend to be cynical and sarcastic. For example, Zoe's favorite joke is rather dark and 

depressing: " 'You want a second opinion? OK, ' says the doctor. 'You're ugly, too.' " (Moore, 360). Zoe's humor comforts her and helps her to escape her feeling of loneliness and alienation. Those jokes, however, also cause her to become alienated and lonely. While talking with Earl, a potential prospect, she tells a rather crude joke that concludes with a girl shooting herself with a shotgun. Earl feels dismissed and defeated and has lost some interest in Zoe. Zoe, in the interest of joking even more, nudges Earl as he leans over the rail. Although it was meant as a joke, Earl is shocked and has now lost almost all of his interest for Zoe. Zoe's humor, although comforting, contributes to her alienation and feelings of loneliness.