that he laughs because he is unsure of himself. In
             the third essay by Griffin the author recounts the few times she remembers her
             mother laughing. This would only occur when her mother had first stayed up all
             night drinking. In the first essay the laughter is meant to unite, or bring closer,
             the researchers to the villagers. By finding fault in the researchers, the Balinese
             people can admit that they are fallible, and the can accept them into their
             The people of Bali show that even within their rigged culture there is room for
             joy. This is expressed only at certain times, and in a certain manner, but it is
             tolerated. On the other hand, when the narrator of the second essay laughs, it is
             because he himself realizes his own fallibility, and is disconcerted by it. With the
             act of laughing, he is able to push away other people and keep himself safe from
             ridicule. It is a defense mechanism that the cu
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