Granted

Anderson employs humor in Granted to lighten the narrative and engage readers, adding a playful touch to the fantastical world of fairies and wishes. One notable source of humor is the portrayal of fairies’ perspectives on humans. The fairies’ disdain for mundane or impractical wishes, such as for PlayStations or fame, creates comedic moments. Also, the fairies’ failure to understand human culture provides comic relief and foreshadows Ophelia’s problems later in the story. For example, Ophelia complains that there is too much human culture to keep track of and “only yesterday she’d learned that a Super Bowl was not a fancy serving dish” (33). Likewise, another fairy blames all his problems on the internet. The author uses this humor to highlight the contrast between the fairies’ magical world and the everyday desires of humans, providing readers with amusing insights into the fairy mindset.

Additionally, several character interactions, particularly those involving Ophelia, contribute to the humor in the story. Ophelia’s meticulous planning and attempts to control situations often lead to comical mishaps, such as when the hawk catches her. While most fairies charm with their singing, Ophelia annoys. While most fairies sing traditional songs or Frank Sinatra, Ophelia sings Ozzy Osbourne. These humorous incidents humanize the fairies, making them relatable and endearing to readers. The use of humor in these situations adds levity to the narrative and underscores the theme of adaptability, showing that even magical beings can face unexpected challenges with a sense of humor.

Moreover, Anderson employs wordplay and witticisms throughout the novel. Ophelia’s cursing, in particular, adds humor to some of the more serious moments. Fairy cursing involves words like “Flabforkin’, fartfiddled, toejammed, spitwashed, lumpsucking, bony-headed buttfish” (139). While hilarious, the nature and escalation of Ophelia’s cursing as the story progresses reflects the amount of stress she is under. The humor in Granted serves as a key element in balancing the more serious themes, offering moments of lightheartedness and ensuring that the novel is accessible and entertaining for its audience.