“You grow up the day you have your first real laugh- at yourself” - Ethel Barrymore

Ethel Barrymore promotes the need for all people to look inward. In this respect, to ‘grow up’ would be to become more mature and more aware of one’s real position among their fellow men and women. Such growth might result in a more open individual as is suggested. A key term is laughter, real laughter that puts things and events in their real perspective. The interpersonal benefits and growth potential would better be seen as part of a continuum of attributes that contribute to maturation. In a broader sense, too, as society forms its identity, the notion of self-laughter as a tool of revelation is an important indicator of growth.

The benefit of placing things in their right perspective, perhaps in a humorous way, is a tool for self revelation. To laugh recognises some inconsistency, some ironic or incongruent factor or aspect of our personality and behaviour. To view ourselves as inconsistent may well be a healthy sign that fewer things are absolute that one once believed them to be. This process suggests reflection from which learning and behaviour modification is likely to spring. It also leads to an acknowledgment that one shares a common society in which our own actions are on display to be judged and modified. In this light, self-laughter is one instrumental indication of an embellishment of personal character.

The maturity and growth of an individual does not rely on one factor alone, however. Moreover, our characters generally develop and vacillate throughout life via the constant presentation of other role models, situations or events. All such things have their role in contributing to an individual’s sum total of actions, emotions and experiences. While the revealing nature of laugher is important, it would be better seen as part of series of factors that alter our view of ourselves. One such example may be the observation of body language in an interpersonal situation that provide visual cues as to how another feels. It is a constant exposure to this and other things that modifies our own behaviour and reactions to various aspects of life.

The wider perspective on Barrymore’s assertion is that of society’s ability to ‘laugh’ at itself and how indicative this is of growth. Australian society is relatively young and some significant events illustrate its own informal and insouciant overtones. Indeed, various cartoons during the Great Depression reveal a more larrikin approach to life and such events developed notions that remained within the collective psyche. Other nations such as Malaysia intervene when it comes to political cartoons satirising the state of affairs, whereas in other cultures, the ability to laugh at its leaders in enshrined to an extent that when this is threatened, much controversy arises. Any legislation against ‘free speech’ as is broadly defined is broadly defined is often criticised on the basis of it leading to a stagnation of ideas. Hence, the laughter aspect is quite revealing politically and on a social level.

It is clear therefore that laughter may well provide the growth catalyst in many individuals. The plethora of events that surround us contribute to theses as well. Finally society has become divided on this very notion showing at least on laughter’s powerful revealing ability.