Man, this Guy Fawkes
Okay, here’s my attempt at a “Joke Poo” version of the Guy Fawkes joke, titled appropriately:
Joke Poo: The Compiler Error
I just ran into a guy quoting ancient Fortran. You know, the whole “DO 10 I = 1, 5, 2; CONTINUE 10” loop. And I couldn’t help but think…
Man, this Guy’s syntax!
Okay, let’s dissect this joke and then build on it.
Joke Analysis:
- Setup: Meeting a guy reciting the V for Vendetta speech. This establishes a specific context: someone publicly invoking Guy Fawkes and the Fifth of November.
- Punchline: “Man, this Guy Fawkes.” This is a pun. It plays on the phrase “this guy,” referring to the person quoting the movie, and simultaneously references Guy Fawkes himself, the historical figure. The humor lies in the unexpected double meaning. It implies the speaker thinks the quoter is Guy Fawkes, or at least acting like him.
- Humor Type: Pun, Observational, and slightly absurd. It’s observational because it highlights a common (or at least plausible) scenario, and absurd because it playfully misinterprets the situation.
Key Elements Identified:
- V for Vendetta: The movie and its iconic speech.
- Guy Fawkes: The historical figure associated with the Gunpowder Plot.
- Fifth of November: The date of the failed Gunpowder Plot.
- Puns: The comedic device at the core of the joke.
Comedic Enrichment: Creating a New Piece of Humor
Let’s lean into the historical aspect and play on the idea of anachronistic understanding:
New Joke/Observation:
I overheard a kid quoting “V for Vendetta” the other day. He was getting really into it: “Remember, remember the fifth of November!” I wanted to ask him if he knew the whole story, but I figured I’d just sound like a grumpy history teacher. Besides, it’s probably easier to just remember one day in November than all those pesky details about Parliament, King James, and 36 barrels of gunpowder… And the fact that Fawkes wasn’t even the mastermind behind the plot! He was basically just the fall guy. Literally! Talk about your historical injustice! I bet he’s rolling in his… grave.
Why this works:
- Builds on the original: Starts with the same setup – someone quoting V for Vendetta.
- Adds a layer of reality: Incorportating historical truths about Guy Fawkes and the actual details of the gunpowder plot.
- Humor through contrast: The contrast between the movie’s dramatic presentation and the messy, complex reality of the Gunpowder Plot creates humor.
- Incongruity: The image of Guy Fawkes rolling in his grave is incongruent with the original quote and creates a humorous effect.
- Irony: Focuses on the irony of Fawkes being the face of the plot when he was a relatively minor player.
Alternative: Amusing “Did You Know?”
Did you know that Guy Fawkes, famous for the Gunpowder Plot, wasn’t actually the leader of the conspiracy? He was more like the designated explosives expert… and fall guy. So, next time you see someone quoting “V for Vendetta” on November 5th, remember: they’re celebrating the wrong guy… and probably getting the history completely wrong. Maybe we should all just celebrate Bonfire Night by staying inside and watching Mr. Bean’s Holiday instead… it’s historically inaccurate, but arguably more fun.