ABSTRACT:The development of literature is closely tied to the development of history. A certain historical background offers writing material for writers, which is the source of creation of literature. Also, all kinds of different literary forms will also reflect the different historical period of the social situation or exist social problems. Each kind of impressive popular literature element is like a mirror of the society and the life of people. Its purpose is to reveal the social absurdity and darkness, to criticize those bad social ethos or to reveal social problems so as to cause people’s attention and thought of these phenomenon.

Black humor first appeared on the historical stage as a kind of literary style which was generated by disastrous wars. Several decades later, the wars had become history. But people never stop thinking about this society. Therefore, black humor has been exploited by writer in order to show what has happened in the history, what is going on right now, and what will come in the future. Traditional humor is totally different from black humor, it reveals social ugly things by cruel criticism and bold exposed, it is also with easy, merry tone to make the reader and audiences produce the most sincere pleasure and joy from hearts, and to inspire people to pursue the beauty with will and strength, reflecting the artistic charm of comedy. Through comparing with behaviors, words and psychological activity of the characters in Joseph Heller and Mark Twain’s works, to find out the characteristic of the characters, and make a conclusion of what I have learned from character, or the deep meaning the story told us beyond the special age.

Key words:  black humor  traditional humor  character analysis  social effect

摘要:文学的发展与历史的发展是紧密相连的。一定的历史背景会为文学的创作提供素材。同样，各种不同的文学形式也会反映不同历史时期的社会形势或存在的社会问题。每一种印象深刻的流行文学元素都可以说是当时社会和人们生活的一面镜子。就像黑色幽默，它最初走上历史舞台是作为一种文学形式。随着时间的推移，黑色幽默也在不断的进步，不仅被用于文学，而且被越来越广泛的被运用在生活的各方面。其目的在于揭露社会的荒谬与黑暗，批判那些不良的社会风气或社会问题从而引起人们对此类问题的关注与思考。传统幽默与黑色幽默不同的是，传统幽默以轻松，欢快的语调揭示社会的丑陋事物的无情批判与大胆暴露，使读者跟观众产生由衷的愉快与喜悦，从而鼓舞人们追求真善美的意志和力量，体现喜剧的艺术魅力。通过对约瑟夫·海勒以及马克吐温作品中的人物比较，包括人物行为，语言和心理活动，挖掘人物性格特征，以及作品中人物给我们带来的所思所想，及跨时代的意义。

关键词：黑色幽默； 传统幽默； 人物分析； 社会影响