Understanding Satire

Humor for the intelligent— will you get it?

Satire Defined One of the oldest forms of literature

and one of the most durableA constructive art that seeks not

merely to destroy but to rebuild; aim is to inspire reform

Humor + criticism = inspired reform

Satire Defined Conservative Values society, tradition, & viable

institutionsValues the general welfare and

public goodAudience is intelligent, educated and

rationalFools won’t get it

Satire vs. Sarcasm Satire – blend of criticism and humor

for the purposes of CORRECTION OR IMPROVEMENT

Sarcasm– simple abuse consisting of a series of insults

Four Golden Satire Questions

1. What institutions, practices, and/or groups are being satirized?

2. What method(s) does the author employ in constructing his satire?

3. What is the tone of the satire?4. What is the central message that

the author is trying to communicate?

What institutions, practices, and/orgroups are being satirized?1. A group or organization2. Individuals3. A “sort” or type of person4. A social class5. A prevailing philosophy6. Social manners7. Modern progress8. Mankind

What method(s) might an author employ in constructing his satire?

Parody - humorous imitation of another work or type of work. This could be a parody of style, mannerisms, etc.

Irony - technique of indicating, as through character or plot development, an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually or clearly stated.

Lampoon - sharp, often bitter satire directed against an individual or institution. Similar to parody (see above)

Litotes—A form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite (she’s not unattractive)

Hyperbole—Deliberate exaggeration to achieve effect--overstatement

Sarcasm—Intentional derision. Cutting remarks and obvious verbal irony. Jeering statement of opposite of what is meant.

Wit—Clever expression. Wit is characterized by a mocking or paradoxical quality, evoking laughter through apt phrasing.

Caricature - exaggeration by means of often ridiculous distortion of parts or characteristics. Often visual.

Ridicule—Words intended to belittle and arouse contemptuous laughter. The goal is to make the target seem laughable or ridiculous.

Invective—Heavy use of negative emotional language to abuse, denounce, or attack a person, a cause, an idea, or a system.

Invective "Curse the blasted, jelly-boned swines,

the slimy, the belly-wriggling invertebrates, the miserable sodding rotters, the flaming sods, the snivelling, dribbling, dithering, palsied pulse-less lot that make up England today. . . . how I hate them! Extermine them, slime. I could curse for hours and hours--God help me."(D.H. Lawrence, letter to editor Edward Garnett, July 3, 1912)

What is the tone of thesatire?Horatian – this form aims to correct

through broad laughter– cheerful– urbane– tongue-in-cheek– optimistic– warm– witty– gentle– chiding

What is the tone of thesatire?Juvenalian – this form aims to reforms

through mocking ridicule– cutting– bitter– angry– contemptuous– grim– sardonic– harsh– indignant

Satire and POV Often employs a special kind of

narrator called a mask or personaThis is the character through

whom the action is observed or related

NOT NORMALLY TO BE CONSTRUED AS THE AUTHOR’S VOICE

Often has the presence of a character that serves as the “norm” or the standard against which we measure the other characters

Satire and POVFormal & Direct

◦ Satiric voice speaks in first person

Informal & Indirect◦ Characters themselves reveal their

folly & ridiculousness through their own actions, words and thoughts

Modern Day Satire

Sample Modern Parody http://www.lametrain.com/ebay.s

html

Satire In ActionRemember: Satire often pokes

fun at some institution, person or aspect of human weakness

In the following cartoons, try to specifically point out what is being satirized.

Also try to come to a conclusion about what the artist/author wants his audience to think about by viewing the cartoon

Satire in ActionWhat is being

satirized?What change

does the artist possibly want to inspire?

Possible Responses:What is being satirized?

◦ The artist is satirizing our youth’s preoccupation with games, computers and other technology. It is also satirizing parents who allow their children so much access to these distractions.

What change does the artist possibly want to inspire?◦ The artist wants children to play fewer

games and for parents to step in and make their children focus on activities that will help them later in life.

Satire in ActionWhat is being

satirized?What change

does the artist possibly want to inspire?

Satire in Action

What is being satirized?

What change does the artist possibly want to inspire?

Satire in Action

What is being satirized?

What change does the artist possibly want to inspire?