Mark my words, when a society has to resort to the lavatory for it's humour, the writing is on the wall

Mark my words, when a society has to resort to the lavatory for it's humour, the writing is on the wall

Alan Bennett, the renowned British playwright and author, is known for his sharp wit and keen observations of society. His works often delve into the complexities of human nature and the absurdities of everyday life. In the quote “Mark my words, when a society has to resort to the lavatory for its humour, the writing is on the wall,” Bennett is making a profound statement about the state of society and the decline of cultural standards.

Bennett is suggesting that when a society’s humor becomes focused on crude or base subjects, it is a sign of a larger societal problem. In other words, when people have to resort to toilet humor to elicit laughter, it reflects a lack of sophistication and intelligence in the culture. This type of humor is often seen as cheap and easy, appealing to the lowest common denominator rather than engaging with more complex or thought-provoking topics.

Bennett’s comment can be seen as a critique of the current state of popular culture, where shock value and vulgarity often take precedence over wit and intelligence. In a society where reality TV shows and viral videos featuring crude humor dominate the entertainment landscape, Bennett’s words serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining higher standards in art and culture.

Bennett himself is a master of wit and satire, using humor to shed light on the absurdities of everyday life. His plays and writings are filled with clever wordplay and sharp observations that challenge audiences to think critically about the world around them. By contrast, toilet humor is often seen as lazy and uninspired, relying on shock value rather than genuine wit.