When discussing heavy or contentious topics in their work, writers often use comedy as an effective way of cutting tension and lightening the mood of a piece. Taking a comical approach to writing is especially useful when the topics in play reference events or ideas that were or are currently harmful to groups of people. In Ching Chong Chinaman, Lauren Yee employs jokes throughout the play to comment on stereotypes of different marginalized groups in America.

At the play’s beginning, the audience is introduced to the family at the center of the story; Ed and Grace are parents to Upton and Desdemona, all four of whom act and speak in a way that is socially tone-deaf, and laughable. Outside of the four family members, Jinqiang, an indentured servant working for Upton, Kim Lee Park, a 17-year-old girl from Korea that Desdemona is sponsoring, and the unnamed Chinese woman all appear frequently throughout the play.

In accordance with their insensitivity, Upton and Desdemona have a particularly funny conversation about whether Upton should get rid of Jinqiang, who they refer to as “J” due to the family’s lack of understanding for the proper pronunciation of his name. In the 6th scene of the play, Upton opens by reading from his essay, the topic of which being indentured servitude. In his writing, Upton grossly oversimplifies and glamorizes the plight of indentured servants coming to America for work in the 19th century. But, after comparing his own needs of completing schoolwork, chores, and other obligations to those of Charles Crocker, and American tycoon responsible for creating the Transcontinental Railroad, Upton is interrupted by Desdemona, who exclaims after realizing that J is Upton’s own indentured servant. In response to this very justified outburst, Upton calmly replies that his private property is protected by the law, an odd thing to say considering it was never mentioned or in question. Then, before addressing the crime being committed by her brother, Desdemona questions how J, a non-English speaker, would even complete his homework. After hearing Upton’s response, Desdemona finally begins to criticize the moral and legal wrongdoings of her brother. She points out that J is being exploited and that Upton should “send him back”, to where she does not say. Following this command, Upton claims that J works for him because he is poor, but he would be poorer if he did anything else, implying that he is kind for allowing J this opportunity. Upton then shows his true, selfish colors by asking Desdemona if she would tell their parents, and she insists she will, until she finds out that J can complete her calculus homework for her. With the situation now benefitting her, Desdemona ironically agrees to let Upton continue using J for his work, just after condemning him for it.

During this scene and much of the play, the audience is reminded of how those who benefit from the harm of others will do nothing to prevent such situations from occurring. Although topics like this would typically making viewing the play uncomfortable for the audiences, Yee’s humor adds levity. Using irony, such as Desdemona’s quickly shifting attitude, and hyperbolic situations, like an average family allowing their son to house an indentured servant, in her writing, Yee sheds light on the average person’s ability to turn a blind eye to tragedy affecting others. By mixing these messages with comedic relief, Yee makes them more palatable and acceptable for audiences everywhere.