Vanessa Watson

Mrs. Sieradski

Language Arts

September 19

Humor, A Sharp Contrast

Richard Peck, uses humor in the short story “Priscilla and the Wimps” to contrast the

seriousness of the subject with less serious ideas. ​For example,​ Peck uses hyperbole when the

Kobras are in the lunchroom, “there were a few cases of advance malnutrition” because Klutter’s

Kobras banned any kid from the lunchroom who did not surrender their lunch money (1).

Richard Peck uses humor to compare how disgusting school lunches are and what their stomachs

might feel like afterwards to how sick victims feel when the Kobras get them. The contrast

between slight malnutrition and several blows to the stomach emphasises how malicious the

Kobras are. ​In addition,​ Priscilla breaks a Kobra’s hold on Melvin, “The Kobra just backs away

like the situation is too big for him, which it is” (2). Richard Peck’s hyperbole depicts the bullies

as large and this emphasizes the greater size and physical power of Priscilla. With the gargantuan

threat of Priscilla, the reputation of the bullies dwindles in comparison. ​Furthermore,​ Pricillia

frog-marches Monk in her locker, “...this is where fate, an even bigger force than Priscilla steps

in.” a snowstorm comes and there is no school for long enough that Monk could die (3). The

author uses a lighthearted, slapstick tone to convey the probable death of the bully. The mood of

the quote conveys a triumph at the defeat of Monk and contrasts it with his possible youthful

demise and with if he deserves to die. Richard Peck uses humor as emphasis for the threat to and

of Monk to stand out in this short story.