Humor as a defense mechanism but also healing

After reading Sherman Alexie’s novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, I have come to the conclusion that the humor used in the novel is used more as a defense mechanism and a way to avoid situations. There is a lot of humor throughout the book and by a few different characters. Obviously Junior/Arnold uses a lot of humor throughout the book. One instance that really stands out to me is when he enters the Wellpinit gym and his tribe turns their backs on him. The only thing he can do is start laughing, which soon sends his team into hysterics. I think it is one of those things like we talked about in class that instead of crying in a situation, he uses laughter. He does the same thing when he finds out that his sister died. He laughs hysterically in the car on the drive back to his house. I think it was his way of dealing with such an intense situation, especially after all the other losses he had endured during the year.
I also noticed, through the article that we read and the book, that Indians use a lot of one-liners. They are very quick-witted. It’s like one of those things where you know someone who doesn’t say much but when they do it’s pretty good. The humor seems to be pretty sharp and even though they make fun of themselves often, at the core is ultimately a dig at Americans. The article, “Custer Died for Your Sins”, states “one-line retorts are common in Indian country” (Deloria, 166). I definitely sensed that while reading the article. There were many examples, especially ones where the Indians were making fun of themselves. “When a people can laugh at themselves and laugh at others and hold all aspects of life together without letting anybody drive them to extremes, then it seems to me that that people can survive” (Deloria, 167). I find this quote to be true not just for Indians but for all people. When someone can make light of a serious situation, I think that is one of the best ways to get through life. Humor can be the one thing that can be healing even if it starts out as a defense mechanism.