Kafka Komedy: Difference between revisions

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A story where no matter how well-meaning, reasonable and cautious a character is, everything he does has awful repercussions for him and makes him look like a horrible person. Attempts to set things right just blow up in his face and aggravate the situation further, and generally the story ends when things are at their worst. Often this all happens because the people around him are over-sensitive and stupid with a [[Hair-Trigger Temper]], but just as often it'll be thanks to plain old bad luck.
A story where no matter how well-meaning, reasonable and cautious a character is, everything he does has awful repercussions for him and makes him look like a horrible person. Attempts to set things right just blow up in his face and aggravate the situation further, and generally the story ends when things are at their worst. Often this all happens because the people around him are over-sensitive and stupid with a [[Hair-Trigger Temper]], but just as often it'll be thanks to plain old bad luck.


The afflicted characters are held to be entirely to blame for their own misfortune. Despite this, they are otherwise decent, nice and perfectly pleasant people who would be well-liked and respected... if they didn't have the misfortune to be living in a Kafka Komedy. Here, [[Can't Get Away With Nuthin'|the universe punishes]] even the whitest lie or mildest of indiscretions with completely out-of-proportion ruthlessness.
The afflicted characters are held to be entirely to blame for their own misfortune. Despite this, they are otherwise decent, nice and perfectly pleasant people who would be well-liked and respected... if they didn't have the misfortune to be living in a Kafka Komedy. Here, [[Can't Get Away with Nuthin'|the universe punishes]] even the whitest lie or mildest of indiscretions with completely out-of-proportion ruthlessness.


It doesn't help that in a lot of these comedies the people around the protagonist seem [[No Sympathy|incapable]] of feeling any kind of sympathy or empathy for them at all, despite how blindingly obvious it should be that this person isn't (entirely) responsible for the hideous chain of misfortunes crashing down around them, and would never be responsible for the horrible things they've been mistakenly accused of.
It doesn't help that in a lot of these comedies the people around the protagonist seem [[No Sympathy|incapable]] of feeling any kind of sympathy or empathy for them at all, despite how blindingly obvious it should be that this person isn't (entirely) responsible for the hideous chain of misfortunes crashing down around them, and would never be responsible for the horrible things they've been mistakenly accused of.


The trope is [[Trope Namer|named]] after [[Franz Kafka (Creator)|Franz Kafka]], whose characters are well-meaning, reasonable, and cautious, but horrible things happen to them not only despite but usually ''because'' of their perfectly-nice actions. Whether or not Kafka's work qualifies as ''funny'', on the other hand, is [[Your Mileage May Vary|a matter of taste]] and [[Serious Business|serious academic debate]]. Kafka himself read chapters of his books to his close friends, and the comedy aspect was a big part of the readings.
The trope is [[Trope Namer|named]] after [[Franz Kafka]], whose characters are well-meaning, reasonable, and cautious, but horrible things happen to them not only despite but usually ''because'' of their perfectly-nice actions. Whether or not Kafka's work qualifies as ''funny'', on the other hand, is [[Your Mileage May Vary|a matter of taste]] and [[Serious Business|serious academic debate]]. Kafka himself read chapters of his books to his close friends, and the comedy aspect was a big part of the readings.


It's also worth noting that [[David Foster Wallace]] has written [http://www.badgerinternet.com/~bobkat/kafka.html an in-depth essay on the subject of Kafka's humor.]
It's also worth noting that [[David Foster Wallace]] has written [http://www.badgerinternet.com/~bobkat/kafka.html an in-depth essay on the subject of Kafka's humor.]


The subtrope of [[Black Comedy]] least likely to involve death. Contrast with [[Plague of Good Fortune]], where ''good'' things keep inexplicably happening to the character's chagrin, and [[Springtime for Hitler]], where a character deliberately does something bad but is met with greatness for it, or [[Karma Houdini]] where the villain gets off scot-free. May occasionally overlap with [[Somebody Doesn't Love Raymond]] and probably [[Butt Monkey]]. See also [[Can't Get Away With Nuthin']].
The subtrope of [[Black Comedy]] least likely to involve death. Contrast with [[Plague of Good Fortune]], where ''good'' things keep inexplicably happening to the character's chagrin, and [[Springtime for Hitler]], where a character deliberately does something bad but is met with greatness for it, or [[Karma Houdini]] where the villain gets off scot-free. May occasionally overlap with [[Somebody Doesn't Love Raymond]] and probably [[Butt Monkey]]. See also [[Can't Get Away with Nuthin']].
{{examples}}
{{examples}}


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* Much of the comedy in ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' is of this form, applied to Shinji: no matter how well-meaning or responsible he's being, the world will punish him for it, usually via Asuka or Gendou. The show seems to imply that it's somehow his own fault for being such an avoidant [[Extreme Doormat]].
* Much of the comedy in ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' is of this form, applied to Shinji: no matter how well-meaning or responsible he's being, the world will punish him for it, usually via Asuka or Gendou. The show seems to imply that it's somehow his own fault for being such an avoidant [[Extreme Doormat]].
* Ranma Saotome of ''[[Ranma One Half|Ranma ½]]'' has this happen in many stories, often revolving around potential cures for his curse.
* Ranma Saotome of ''[[Ranma One Half|Ranma ½]]'' has this happen in many stories, often revolving around potential cures for his curse.
* ''[[Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei]]'' - An interesting... Variation, of sorts, of this trope can be found in the anime, where eternally pessimistic teacher Itoshiki Nozomu's attempts at, [[Chewing the Scenery|in the most dramatic way possible]], explaining what is currently [[Driven to Suicide|driving him to commit suicide]], as well as explaining why it is doing so, usually goes rather well for him... That is, until [[The Pollyanna|impossibly optimistic]], [[Stepford Smiler|or whatever it is]] [[Beware the Nice Ones|she really is]], Fuura Kafuka, ([[Meaningful Name|notice anything about that name?]]) decides to explain her pov, and/or put her spin, on things, at which point reality becomes unhinged and comes tumbling down in a chaotic mess with the accuracy of a precision strike and one single target: Itoshiki Nozomu.
* ''[[Sayonara, Zetsubou-sensei]]'' - An interesting... Variation, of sorts, of this trope can be found in the anime, where eternally pessimistic teacher Itoshiki Nozomu's attempts at, [[Chewing the Scenery|in the most dramatic way possible]], explaining what is currently [[Driven to Suicide|driving him to commit suicide]], as well as explaining why it is doing so, usually goes rather well for him... That is, until [[The Pollyanna|impossibly optimistic]], [[Stepford Smiler|or whatever it is]] [[Beware the Nice Ones|she really is]], Fuura Kafuka, ([[Meaningful Name|notice anything about that name?]]) decides to explain her pov, and/or put her spin, on things, at which point reality becomes unhinged and comes tumbling down in a chaotic mess with the accuracy of a precision strike and one single target: Itoshiki Nozomu.
** One prime example could be when she, after Nozomu had ranted about how clumsy people got away with little to no consequences, helpingly(?) tried to teach [[Control Freak|Kitsu]] [[Ax Crazy|Chiri]] how to be a proper [[The Klutz|klutz]]. By the end of the day, Chiri had tipped a bucket full of acid in front of the passing by Nozomu, [[It Makes Sense in Context|cooked a man when mistaking salt and sugar]], gone overkill when she was supposed to burn the food and burned down the entire school instead, and [[Comedic Sociopathy|stabbed Nozomu with a knife, believing he was somebody else]].
** One prime example could be when she, after Nozomu had ranted about how clumsy people got away with little to no consequences, helpingly(?) tried to teach [[Control Freak|Kitsu]] [[Ax Crazy|Chiri]] how to be a proper [[The Klutz|klutz]]. By the end of the day, Chiri had tipped a bucket full of acid in front of the passing by Nozomu, [[It Makes Sense in Context|cooked a man when mistaking salt and sugar]], gone overkill when she was supposed to burn the food and burned down the entire school instead, and [[Comedic Sociopathy|stabbed Nozomu with a knife, believing he was somebody else]].
* A theme in the anime ''[[Love Hina]]'' is that Keitaro, assumed by Naru and Motoko to be a lecherous pervert, is, in fact, simply catastrophically unlucky; if he trips, almost inevitably his hand [[Accidental Pervert|accidentally gropes a breast, pulls down clothing, or lands him on top of the nearest girl]]. If he enters the area of the hot springs, one or more girls are present, most often Naru. Should Keitaro give an innocent hug, they assume molestation. Despite his frantic protestations of innocence, these lead to their violent retribution, often in the form of a [[Megaton Punch]].
* A theme in the anime ''[[Love Hina]]'' is that Keitaro, assumed by Naru and Motoko to be a lecherous pervert, is, in fact, simply catastrophically unlucky; if he trips, almost inevitably his hand [[Accidental Pervert|accidentally gropes a breast, pulls down clothing, or lands him on top of the nearest girl]]. If he enters the area of the hot springs, one or more girls are present, most often Naru. Should Keitaro give an innocent hug, they assume molestation. Despite his frantic protestations of innocence, these lead to their violent retribution, often in the form of a [[Megaton Punch]].
** The above is also an example of just how horribly, ''horribly'' socially ''broken'' the majority of these young women are. By the end of the series, they're not as broken, and it shows.
** The above is also an example of just how horribly, ''horribly'' socially ''broken'' the majority of these young women are. By the end of the series, they're not as broken, and it shows.
* ''[[Girls Bravo (Manga)|Girls Bravo]]'' uses this for some of its humor.
* ''[[Girls Bravo]]'' uses this for some of its humor.
* ''[[Detroit Metal City]]''. The main character lives a double life as an aspiring pop musician (which he loves, but sucks at) and being the songwriter, lead guitarist and front man for a [[Death Metal]] band under a false name and identity (a role he hates, but is ''extremely'' good at). However much he wants to quit doing the latter, he is unable to do so because he's ''too'' good at being said [[Death Metal]] frontman. The metal persona also ends up surfacing at the most inopportune at times in his normal life as well.
* ''[[Detroit Metal City]]''. The main character lives a double life as an aspiring pop musician (which he loves, but sucks at) and being the songwriter, lead guitarist and front man for a [[Death Metal]] band under a false name and identity (a role he hates, but is ''extremely'' good at). However much he wants to quit doing the latter, he is unable to do so because he's ''too'' good at being said [[Death Metal]] frontman. The metal persona also ends up surfacing at the most inopportune at times in his normal life as well.
* ''[[Nichijou]]''. [[Serial Escalation|So, so much]]. Yuuko may be the designated [[Butt Monkey]] but it's easier to count the characters who don't apocalyptically fail than those who do ''on a regular basis''.
* ''[[Nichijou]]''. [[Serial Escalation|So, so much]]. Yuuko may be the designated [[Butt Monkey]] but it's easier to count the characters who don't apocalyptically fail than those who do ''on a regular basis''.
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== Film ==
== Film ==
* [[Buster Keaton]]'s 1922 two-reeler "[[Cops (Film)|Cops]]" takes this trope [[Up to Eleven]] -- the protagonist's attempt to earn an honest buck ultimately leads to his being chased by what appears to be ''the entire LAPD.''
* [[Buster Keaton]]'s 1922 two-reeler "[[Cops (film)|Cops]]" takes this trope [[Up to Eleven]] -- the protagonist's attempt to earn an honest buck ultimately leads to his being chased by what appears to be ''the entire LAPD.''
* In the film ''[[The Graduate]]'' the entire plot is a Kafka Komedy since any and all actions he makes are against authority figures but he never intends to do anything bad. He begins the movie loved by those around him and by the end of the movie he's despised by almost everyone who once liked him.
* In the film ''[[The Graduate]]'' the entire plot is a Kafka Komedy since any and all actions he makes are against authority figures but he never intends to do anything bad. He begins the movie loved by those around him and by the end of the movie he's despised by almost everyone who once liked him.
* In the Scorsese comedy ''[[After Hours]],'' the protagonist {{spoiler|already pursued by an angry mob that thinks he's a burglar,}} looks through a window and sees {{spoiler|someone get shot}}. "I'll probably get blamed for that," he says.
* In the Scorsese comedy ''[[After Hours]],'' the protagonist {{spoiler|already pursued by an angry mob that thinks he's a burglar,}} looks through a window and sees {{spoiler|someone get shot}}. "I'll probably get blamed for that," he says.
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* Practically all the jokes in films such as ''[[Father of the Bride]]'', ''Just Married'', ''[[Meet the Parents]]'' and ''Duplex'' are based on everything going wrong for the protagonists and ''schadenfreude''.
* Practically all the jokes in films such as ''[[Father of the Bride]]'', ''Just Married'', ''[[Meet the Parents]]'' and ''Duplex'' are based on everything going wrong for the protagonists and ''schadenfreude''.
* ''[[Office Space]]'' and several other sources of office humor have been described as Kafkaesque.
* ''[[Office Space]]'' and several other sources of office humor have been described as Kafkaesque.
* ''[[Brazil (Film)|Brazil]]'' has a lot of Kafkaesque elements, many of which are presented as comedy - even if they end up [[Played for Drama]].
* ''[[Brazil (film)|Brazil]]'' has a lot of Kafkaesque elements, many of which are presented as comedy - even if they end up [[Played for Drama]].
* ''[[The Machinist]]'' is pretty much one part [[Kafka Komedy]], two parts [[Fyodor Dostoevsky]] drama.
* ''[[The Machinist]]'' is pretty much one part [[Kafka Komedy]], two parts [[Fyodor Dostoevsky]] drama.
* The 1962 film of ''The Trial'' is, [[Word of God|according to director]] [[Orson Welles]], a literal example. He found it to be extremely funny, and considered it one of his best works.
* The 1962 film of ''The Trial'' is, [[Word of God|according to director]] [[Orson Welles]], a literal example. He found it to be extremely funny, and considered it one of his best works.
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== Literature ==
== Literature ==
* The works of [[Franz Kafka (Creator)|Franz Kafka]] are [[Mind Screw|maddening]], [[Nightmare Fuel|nightmarish]], and deeply depressing. Kafka's friends recorded that he used to roar with laughter when he read them his writings.
* The works of [[Franz Kafka]] are [[Mind Screw|maddening]], [[Nightmare Fuel|nightmarish]], and deeply depressing. Kafka's friends recorded that he used to roar with laughter when he read them his writings.
* ''[[Fame (Literature)|Fame]]'' by [[Daniel Kehlmann]] is a pure [[Kafka Komedy]].
* ''[[Fame (novel)|Fame]]'' by [[Daniel Kehlmann]] is a pure [[Kafka Komedy]].




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* Josh from ''[[Drake and Josh]]''.
* Josh from ''[[Drake and Josh]]''.
* Chris from ''[[Everybody Hates Chris]]''.
* Chris from ''[[Everybody Hates Chris]]''.
* Lister from ''[[Red Dwarf (TV)|Red Dwarf]]''.
* Lister from ''[[Red Dwarf]]''.
* ''[[Green Acres]]'' is often mentioned to have Kafka-esque elements. One of the most frequent plotlines has Oliver trying to improve life for the people of Hooterville, only to have it backfire at every single step until he is driven to near-insanity. The townspeople generally react with anything from hostility to lukewarm sympathy of the "gee, that's too bad" variety. Despite it all, Oliver never learns to stop doing this.
* ''[[Green Acres]]'' is often mentioned to have Kafka-esque elements. One of the most frequent plotlines has Oliver trying to improve life for the people of Hooterville, only to have it backfire at every single step until he is driven to near-insanity. The townspeople generally react with anything from hostility to lukewarm sympathy of the "gee, that's too bad" variety. Despite it all, Oliver never learns to stop doing this.
* Basil Fawlty, John Cleese's character in the British sitcom ''[[Fawlty Towers]]'', embodies this trope. Despite being generally rude and sarcastic, he comes across as an otherwise sympathetic character who is always scheming to get himself out of a minor jam but only succeeds in making it increasingly worse.
* Basil Fawlty, John Cleese's character in the British sitcom ''[[Fawlty Towers]]'', embodies this trope. Despite being generally rude and sarcastic, he comes across as an otherwise sympathetic character who is always scheming to get himself out of a minor jam but only succeeds in making it increasingly worse.
* It's common in ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus (TV)|Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'', too; probably the best example would be poor Mr. Horton, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgAoGf84-3A&NR=1&feature=fvwp who makes people laugh uncontrollably] despite his attempts at being serious and miserable plight.
* It's common in ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'', too; probably the best example would be poor Mr. Horton, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgAoGf84-3A&NR=1&feature=fvwp who makes people laugh uncontrollably] despite his attempts at being serious and miserable plight.
* This often happens to [[Fish Out of Water]] Lacey in ''[[Corner Gas (TV)|Corner Gas]]'', to the point that during one entire episode she refuses to get involved - ''and everyone else involves her anyway'', either by misinterpreting what she says when she declares that she doesn't want to be involved, or by simply assigning her a position [[Strawman Political|because she's from Toronto]].
* This often happens to [[Fish Out of Water]] Lacey in ''[[Corner Gas]]'', to the point that during one entire episode she refuses to get involved - ''and everyone else involves her anyway'', either by misinterpreting what she says when she declares that she doesn't want to be involved, or by simply assigning her a position [[Strawman Political|because she's from Toronto]].
* Some of the plotlines in ''[[Extras]]''.
* Some of the plotlines in ''[[Extras]]''.
* Victor Meldrew of ''[[One Foot in The Grave]]'' is usually seen as an irrationally angry man, but series creator David Renwick always said he was a perfectly ordinary person, in a universe that seemed specifically designed to make his life as difficult and unpleasant as possible.
* Victor Meldrew of ''[[One Foot in the Grave]]'' is usually seen as an irrationally angry man, but series creator David Renwick always said he was a perfectly ordinary person, in a universe that seemed specifically designed to make his life as difficult and unpleasant as possible.
* ''[[The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (TV)|The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret]]'' is an interesting variation of the trope. While Todd is a pretty unpleasant person, and a lot of his problems stem from his poor decisions, he still doesn't deserve most of what the show puts him through, like being sentenced to be drawn and quartered for crimes against humanity. The second season gradually reveals that {{spoiler|most of the misfortune was actually planned as a part of an elaborate revenge-scheme.}}
* ''[[The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret]]'' is an interesting variation of the trope. While Todd is a pretty unpleasant person, and a lot of his problems stem from his poor decisions, he still doesn't deserve most of what the show puts him through, like being sentenced to be drawn and quartered for crimes against humanity. The second season gradually reveals that {{spoiler|most of the misfortune was actually planned as a part of an elaborate revenge-scheme.}}




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** It gets better: He then wishes that [[Wonderful Life|he was never born]]... and ''everyone'' is better off from it. ''Everyone''.
** It gets better: He then wishes that [[Wonderful Life|he was never born]]... and ''everyone'' is better off from it. ''Everyone''.
*** And if you think that's something, apparently the lesson was, do good things of your own accord regardless if you get appreciated or not. Well that fine and all except, as mentioned above, ''no one'' was appreciative of Timmy's efforts before the wish and all the poor guy wanted was a simple thanks.
*** And if you think that's something, apparently the lesson was, do good things of your own accord regardless if you get appreciated or not. Well that fine and all except, as mentioned above, ''no one'' was appreciative of Timmy's efforts before the wish and all the poor guy wanted was a simple thanks.
* ''[[Tom Goes to The Mayor]]'': Tom comes up with ideas, and the Mayor's incompetence ruins them.
* ''[[Tom Goes to the Mayor]]'': Tom comes up with ideas, and the Mayor's incompetence ruins them.
* This seems to be Meg's only role on ''[[Family Guy]]'' to the point that [[Peanuts|Charlie Brown]] would have to feel pity for her.
* This seems to be Meg's only role on ''[[Family Guy]]'' to the point that [[Peanuts|Charlie Brown]] would have to feel pity for her.
** When most of the cast [[Comedic Sociopathy|feel a need for a reason to]] [[Butt Monkey|hate her anyway.]] Brian is also a victim to this trope at it's most extreme, constantly managing to get caught in the events of the story by inadvertently offending or provoking another (usually more obnoxious) being around him. A recurring gag in newer episodes involves him managing to inadvertantly offend [[Somebody Doesn't Love Raymond|Quagmire]] in particular (outside the one point [["The Reason You Suck" Speech|he expressed rather valid reasons]] [[Take That Scrappy|for resenting Brian]]).
** When most of the cast [[Comedic Sociopathy|feel a need for a reason to]] [[Butt Monkey|hate her anyway.]] Brian is also a victim to this trope at it's most extreme, constantly managing to get caught in the events of the story by inadvertently offending or provoking another (usually more obnoxious) being around him. A recurring gag in newer episodes involves him managing to inadvertantly offend [[Somebody Doesn't Love Raymond|Quagmire]] in particular (outside the one point [["The Reason You Suck" Speech|he expressed rather valid reasons]] [[Take That Scrappy|for resenting Brian]]).
* This also happens a lot in ''[[Duckman]]''. Granted, most of the misery that befalls Duckman is the result of his being an [[Jerkass|ignorant, self-righteous prick]], but even when he tries to do good he's still treated as if he [[Kick the Dog|kicked someone's dog]].
* This also happens a lot in ''[[Duckman]]''. Granted, most of the misery that befalls Duckman is the result of his being an [[Jerkass|ignorant, self-righteous prick]], but even when he tries to do good he's still treated as if he [[Kick the Dog|kicked someone's dog]].
* Plankton and Squidward from ''[[Spongebob SquarePants]]'' have been unintentional examples of this ever since [[The Movie]].
* Plankton and Squidward from ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]'' have been unintentional examples of this ever since [[The Movie]].
* Inverted on the new ''The Hub'' series ''[[Dan Vs]]'', where the titular character thinks that everything that happens to him is the fault of some obscure thing, when in reality he's just a [[Jerkass]] ([[Weirdness Magnet|most of the time]]).
* Inverted on the new ''The Hub'' series ''[[Dan Vs.]]'', where the titular character thinks that everything that happens to him is the fault of some obscure thing, when in reality he's just a [[Jerkass]] ([[Weirdness Magnet|most of the time]]).
* The segments of ''[[Animaniacs (Animation)|Animaniacs]]'' featuring Buttons the dog chasing Mindy, the little daughter of his owner, always feature Buttons busting his butt trying to save Mindy from a different hazard every two seconds, and succeeding, but in the end he tends to be blamed for whatever Mindy was doing or otherwise punished. Thankfully, he finally [[Earn Your Happy Ending|earns his happy ending]] in "Wakko's Wish".
* The segments of ''[[Animaniacs]]'' featuring Buttons the dog chasing Mindy, the little daughter of his owner, always feature Buttons busting his butt trying to save Mindy from a different hazard every two seconds, and succeeding, but in the end he tends to be blamed for whatever Mindy was doing or otherwise punished. Thankfully, he finally [[Earn Your Happy Ending|earns his happy ending]] in "Wakko's Wish".
* One ''[[Pepper Ann]]'' episode had the title character stuck in a [[Groundhog Day Loop]] where [[Failure Is the Only Option|the only way to get out of it was to do everything wrong]].
* One ''[[Pepper Ann]]'' episode had the title character stuck in a [[Groundhog Day Loop]] where [[Failure Is the Only Option|the only way to get out of it was to do everything wrong]].
* A [[Lighter and Softer]] example: the Cutie Mark Crusaders of ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (Animation)|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]''. All of their attempts to earn a cutie mark (by finding their special talent) [[Failure Is the Only Option|end in failure]]. [[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (Animation)/Recap/S1 E18 The Show Stoppers|In one episode]], they attempt to participate in a talent show, but act in roles outside of what they're actually good at, completely botching the performance. [[Throw the Dog A Bone|They do win an award]]... [[Subverted Trope|for]] [[Medal of Dishonor|best]] [[So Bad It's Good|comedy]] [[Stylistic Suck|act]].
* A [[Lighter and Softer]] example: the Cutie Mark Crusaders of ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]''. All of their attempts to earn a cutie mark (by finding their special talent) [[Failure Is the Only Option|end in failure]]. [[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic/Recap/S1 E18 The Show Stoppers|In one episode]], they attempt to participate in a talent show, but act in roles outside of what they're actually good at, completely botching the performance. [[Throw the Dog a Bone|They do win an award]]... [[Subverted Trope|for]] [[Medal of Dishonor|best]] [[So Bad It's Good|comedy]] [[Stylistic Suck|act]].
* [[Doug]] fell victim to this trope when he and the rest of his class were doing volunteer work at a local nursing home. He tried to be nice to the lady he was working with, Mrs. Whackhammer, but she chewed him out on his first day there. The next day, at his mother's suggestion, he brought her milk and oatmeal cookies. She ended up chewing him out again. As it turned out, she couldn't have dairy and oatmeal made her queasy.
* [[Doug]] fell victim to this trope when he and the rest of his class were doing volunteer work at a local nursing home. He tried to be nice to the lady he was working with, Mrs. Whackhammer, but she chewed him out on his first day there. The next day, at his mother's suggestion, he brought her milk and oatmeal cookies. She ended up chewing him out again. As it turned out, she couldn't have dairy and oatmeal made her queasy.
* Dib from ''[[Invader Zim]]'' is like a magnet for these stories, since he's basically the only person on Earth with no [[Weirdness Censor]]. Frequently falls victim to [[Selective Enforcement]], [[Cassandra Truth]], [[Properly Paranoid]], and [[You Have to Believe Me]]. His dad thinks he's crazy, his sister doesn't but still hates him, and he's frequently made a fool of in front of [[Agent Mulder|the few people who would believe him]].
* Dib from ''[[Invader Zim]]'' is like a magnet for these stories, since he's basically the only person on Earth with no [[Weirdness Censor]]. Frequently falls victim to [[Selective Enforcement]], [[Cassandra Truth]], [[Properly Paranoid]], and [[You Have to Believe Me]]. His dad thinks he's crazy, his sister doesn't but still hates him, and he's frequently made a fool of in front of [[Agent Mulder|the few people who would believe him]].
Retrieved from "https://allthetropes.org/wiki/Kafka_Komedy"