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Comedy as Reflection: The Humor of The Pine Branch (1917-1930): Familiarity

Assumed Knowledge

Something that cannot be understated with these jokes (and the publication at large) was just how catered they were to their audience. Written in a particularly observational style, it is obvious that an understanding of the college was expected, and those in the know of the students, teachers, and inner workings of the campus would gain a lot more from these jokes, creating a familial and familiar feeling to the humor of The Pine Branch.

Who, What, and Where?

An excerpt from the Jokes section of the November 1920 issue of The Pine Branch stating: "Maybe Its a Myth. The chemistry class was discussing a corporation being formed in Valdosta to own and operate an oil well in the west. us u uuuauwdJYut uuw'fcuu Ruby Meeks, who hadn’t heard all of the conversation: “But where is any oil well ? I haven’t seen it.”

(November 1920)

An excerpt from the Jokes section of the October 1927 issue of The Pine Branch stating: "CAMPUS SIDE LIGHTS. Sara Thomas is resting this week after signing the Student Government Association receipts and meeting all the Freshmen every tium they turned a comer during Freshman initiation. Evelyn Tyson: 'I can hear those old Sophomores ironing every morning before I wake up.' The Freshmen wonder: Does Lucille Dowling ever go to sleep? Opal Thornton: 'Oh, somebody’s used all the wet water in this shower.'"

(October 1927)

An excerpt from the Jokes section of the December 1920 issue of The Pine Branch stating: "Musical or Otherwise. Hallie: 'We had a good time up town at that meeting the other night.' Virginia: 'How do you happen to be a member of the Valdosta Musical Association?' Hallie, disgustedly: 'It wasn’t any musical association; it was the Y. W. C. A. cabinet!'"

(December 1920)

References to places, groups, and people of the college were common in the jokes cracked in The Pine Branch, the above referring to the supposed reputation of the local Young Women's Christian Association (Y.W.C.A), the amenities of the city of Valdosta, and the people and events going on about campus, like the signing of Student Government Association receipts and someone named Lucille Dowling, details intimate to those in the school and surrounding area.

There The Whole Time

 

An excerpt of the Jokes section of the May 1922 issue of The Pine Branch stating: "B. B.: Does a cannibal go to Heaven when he dies? Mary Cobb: Certainly not! B. B.: But suppose he has eaten a missionary?"

An Excerpt of the May 1922 issue of The Pine Branch stating: "8th. Mary Cobb wills all her surplus knowledge gained in English III to B. B. Lang."

(May 1922)

An excerpt of the Jokes section of the April 1928 issue of The Pine Branch stating: "Margaret Brabham: Doris, if I m studying when you come back in the room, wake me up!”

An excerpt of the April 1928 issue of The Pine Branch stating:"FRESHMAN STAFF Editor-in-Chief ............................................................ Grace Chastain Associate Editor-in-Chief ........................ ....................... Lucius Bedell Business Manager..........................................................Zylpha Bowman Assistants ...................................... . Rebecca Rabun, Dorothy Stovall Local Editor ........................................................ Mary Elisabeth Boyd Y. W. C. A. Editor ........................................................ Ann Talbert Joke Editor ....................................................... ................. Madge Mills Athletic Editors: Phi Kappa............................................ Margaret Brabham Phi Lambda................................................................. Edna Shadrick Society Editors: Argonian............... ............................................Mary Smith Hodges Sororian ...................................................................... Beulah Cofield Mailing Department—Molly Lasseter, Lucile Fouche, Evelyn Tyson, Etta Giddens, Ida Burroughs, Janet Brewton."

(April 1928)

 

More often than not, women who were students at the school were referred to by name, and jokes made funnier and more wholesome by knowing their background. In these examples we see one student who was serving on the editing team as one of the joke subjects, and another where friends BB Lang and Mary Cobb are referenced earlier in the issue discussing English skills come up again in the jokes section. 

Added Context

An excerpt from the Humorous section from the November 1920 issue of The Pine Branch stating: “Music’s Charms (?) Rosa, frantically slamming book to floor: ‘Well, Bebe, can you study with all that fuss going on down there?’ Bebe: ‘Now, Rosa, some folks sho’ ain’t very considerate!’ Rosa: ‘I do wish Nannie and Susan would leave those tin horns down town.’ Editor’s Note.—After the fashion of those who study violin, Miss Evelyn Powell was merely practicing nearby.”

A poem from the November 1920 issue of The Pine Branch stating: "A Lesson The brown leaves whirl And rustle under passing feet. The trees left bare Must bravely mourn their loss. No winter’s coat Is given in place of summer’s green, But gaunt they stand And bear the winter’s storm. We learn from them How best to meet the storms of life, And thanks we give To God who made the trees. —Evelyn Powell, ’21."

An excerpt from the November 1920 issue of The Pine Branch stating: "Forward! March! Literary societies have been organized and are now in full working’ order. On Saturday evening the first program meetings were held. The program of the Sororian Society was as follows: Talk by President-------------- ----------------- Estelle Barker Piano solo_____ _______________________ Ruth Strickland Vocal solo______ _______ ________________ Waver Hodges Reading--------------------------------- ------- --Annie Mae Powell Piano solo--------------------------------------- Birdie Van Brackle The program of the other society, which as yet has not selected its name: Inaugural Speech by the President_________ Evelyn Powell Short Story_________ _______ ______________ Lois Byrd Piano Solo________________________ ____ Evelyn Powell Reading------------------------------------------------- Helen Allen The first program gave us a vision of what we may accomplish, and each member became so enthusiastic that it seemed as if the command Forward! March!"

(November 1920)

This excerpt jokes about Evelyn Powell's musical abilities, which could be read as mean-spirited without context, but can easily be reinterpreted as playfulness when recognizing that Evelyn Powell was an established name at the school, recognized for her musical ability earlier in the issue, along with her poetry and leading an on-campus society.

Not Just The Students

An excerpt of the April 1918 issue of The Pine Branch stating: "duced to the receiving line. Misses Lena May and Ida Groover, presidents of the Junior and Senior Classes, President and Mrs. Powell, Professor and Mrs. Wood, Miss Goodlett and Miss Gallaher received the guests."

(April 1918)

An excerpt of the May 1922 issue of The Pine Branch stating: "Dec. 9 - Mr. Wood lost his Senior Roll Book."

(May 1922)

An excerpt of the Jokes section of the October 1923 issue of The Pine Branch stating: “Margaret C.: ‘Mr. Wood, what is the date?’ Mr. Wood: ‘Never mind the date. That test you are taking is more important.’ Margaret: ‘But—er—Mr. Wood, I do want to have something right.’”

(October 1923)

An excerpt of the Jokes section of the March 1925 issue of The Pine Branch stating: ‘Variety Is the Spice of Life. Mr. Wood (in History of Education class): ‘What did the Greek Rhetorical school teach?’ Ella: ‘Oh! I know. Grammar and English.’ Graceful Posing. Mr. Wood: ‘How many pictures must I have made for the annual?’ . Eppie R.: ‘Only one.’ . Mr. Wood: ‘Well, I knew I had to appear twice, but I thought you wanted one standing straight and maybe one on my head!’'’

(March 1925)

Perhaps even more regular than the students and the events of the school was its staff, Professor Wood here being mentioned in passing in 1918 and 1922, and one of the subjects of jokes in 1923 and 1925. Current students and alumni of the small college would have certainly known him if not taken classes with him, creating consistency and familiarity with his inclusion in the humor sections of The Pine Branch.