Henri Bergson's philosophy of laughter offers insight into the distinction between mechanical and natural human behavior, emphasizing the moral role of comedy in promoting freedom and flexibility. Kingsley Amis’s novel Lucky Jim serves as a vivid example of this theory, where laughter reveals the contrast between characters who embody mechanical rigidity and those who pursue natural authenticity. Through a humorous exploration, the narrative highlights the tension between societal expectations and individual freedom.

The Mechanics of Laughter in Lucky Jim

Henri Bergson posits that laughter arises from the mechanization of human actions, transforming gestures, movements, or language into something artificial. Comedy, therefore, serves a moral purpose by mocking the mechanical to celebrate the natural and flexible aspects of human nature. In this context, laughter represents an expression of unbridled naturalness and freedom.

This theoretical framework is particularly useful when analyzing Lucky Jim, where the humor stems from characters who exhibit machine-like behaviors. These characters, who are laughable and morally flawed, are juxtaposed against those who are—or become—more natural, illustrating Bergson's concept. Laughter in the novel acts as a release from the constraints of societal conventions and pretensions.

The Automaton Characters

Amis presents Welch and his son as quintessential examples of mechanized characters. Their speech and gestures are laden with clichés and affectations, akin to automated responses. This mechanization is vividly captured through a metaphor comparing Welch's erratic driving habits to his conversational style. Passengers in Welch's car face danger as his speech influences his driving, reflecting his confusion between conversation and actual control.

Welch's automation also extends to his speech, often described using terms borrowed from the realm of machinery. The novel amplifies this analogy by giving Welch's driving behaviors significant plot implications. Bertrand, another character, exhibits similar automatic tendencies; his combative reaction to Jim is triggered more by his speech mannerisms than interpersonal conflict. Margaret, Johns, and Mrs. Welch further exemplify this speech and mannerism automation, which renders them risible and perilous to Jim.

A Satirical Reflection on Modern Thought

Ironically, the mechanized characters are fervent proponents of anti-modern, natural ideologies. They advocate for "integrated village-type community life," homemade music, and handicrafts as they lament modernity and industrialization. However, Amis satirizes this stance by portraying these characters as inflexible and nonadaptive, thus challenging their perception of being natural and free.

This depiction offers a critique of a broader cultural trend favoring a simplified preindustrial ideal over contemporary complexities. Welch and his circle unwittingly embody what they profess to detest—mechanization—while Amis cleverly locates the qualities of freedom and naturalness in those they oppose. This narrative strategy underscores that morality transcends time and place, hinging instead on human nature, practical deeds over theoretical ideals, and instinct over doctrine.

Jim and Christine: A Struggle for Naturalness

Jim and Christine's relationship with naturalness is complicated by their entanglement with the mechanized world of the Welches. Jim, particularly, invests effort into conforming to the expectations that the Welches represent. His failure to do so, coupled with his innate resistance to mechanization, fuels humor of a different, unsatirical nature and ultimately leads to his redemption.

Despite wanting to escape the constraints imposed by Margaret and the academic environment, Jim initially attempts to mold himself to fit the Welches' ideals. He tries to curb his smoking, adopt the demeanor of a Cambridge academic, and maintain a relationship with Margaret, but his inability to do so results in comically disastrous outcomes. These setbacks propel him toward self-discovery and a departure from mechanical conformity, emphasizing the importance of his unfiltered speech, expressions, and laughter. Jim's lecture on Merrie Old England encapsulates this journey as he transitions from echoing...