The Function and Style of Humor inThe Amphibian Abu Shallakh

hazi Abdul Rahman Al-Gosaibi is considered as one of the most prominent writers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a renowned critic.  He used humor frequently in his works in historical, political, social, cultural, and economic guise, to showcase his critical stance towards the failed and incompetent Arab regimes in a gray tone, and towards the colonial Western regimes in a stark black tone. This paper intends to study the art of humor and its role in The Amphibian Abu Shallakh, particularly how humor carries semantic meanings with it based on a descriptive-analytical approach. Al-Gosaibi does not only intend to make the reader laugh, but aims to search for pains and fears of life in Islamic and non-Islamic communities. The writer intends to cure national and social problems through bitter and stinging humorous criticism, revealing the stupidity and naivety of society and the cleverness of rulers and states in exploiting this naivety. Al-Gosaibi’s humor has two basic features: First, in terms of significance, it carries revolutionary meanings that denounce political, social, cultural, and economic regimes around the world, especially in Arab academies. Secondly, in terms of style, it was formulated in blatant language and a strong and overwhelming tone that targets the regimes that betrayed the Arab and global causes, especially the Islamic world. In the end, it discusses the writer's most prominent methods of expressing concepts in a humorous way.