Jewish Humor in the Works of a Writer, Director, and Comedian Woody Allen - Research Paper Example

Some of Allen's work in literature and film are identifiable with bringing about humor and can easily be told apart from that of other artists for the reason that his characters which lay emphasis on love, belief in God, eccentric, art significance of life and death. These characteristics of Allen in his work have been able to draw noteworthy recognition and attention from personalities who form his audience. Attributes from his work, plot, influences and modus operandi in concert with his comical side all depict in a way his Jewish faith upbringing.

Many of the studies carried out on the film and literary work of Allen have all touched on all aspects of interest except the short stories which are on the other hand briefly mentioned1. The short stories, however, form an important part of Allen’s work and should not be set aside in research. Allen’s short stories range from philosophical, historiography, surreal, journalistic amongst others. Even though these short story pieces cover a number of subjects they all have a shared theme which gyrates around the life and the events of life, the realization of death, religious conviction, love, ethics, and reflections of a man.

These short stories employ comic skillfully, this is one of the things Allen does meticulously well. In a scene from Annie Hall, a lad is to be found with his mother in a psychiatrist’s office, where the mother enquires from the psychiatrist why her son is always nothing like the other boys and is in most cases depressed. The specialist then turns to the boy and questions him on why he is like that. The boy retorts that the universe is expanding and sooner or later it will burst out and highlights that there is no point in everything.

It is at this point that his mother wallops and tells off him for that response. This scene highlights Allen’s yearning to understanding life.