The Elements of The Elements of Satire Satire “ “ Damn with faint praise, assent with Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer, And without sneering teach civil leer, And without sneering teach the rest to sneer; Willing to wound, and the rest to sneer; Willing to wound, and yet afraid to strike, Just hint a fault, yet afraid to strike, Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike; Alike reserv'd to and hesitate dislike; Alike reserv'd to blame, or to commend, A tim'rous foe, and blame, or to commend, A tim'rous foe, and a suspicious friend” a suspicious friend” Alexander Pope Alexander Pope “ “ Satire should, like a polished razor Satire should, like a polished razor keen, wound with a touch that's scarcely keen, wound with a touch that's scarcely felt or seen” felt or seen” Lady Mary Wortley Montagu Lady Mary Wortley Montagu On your notes paper, underline words or On your notes paper, underline words or phrases in these quotes that seem to phrases in these quotes that seem to capture the essence of satire! capture the essence of satire!
Transcript
The Elements of SatireThe Elements of Satire““Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer, And Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer, And without sneering teach the rest to sneer; Willing to without sneering teach the rest to sneer; Willing to
wound, and yet afraid to strike, Just hint a fault, and wound, and yet afraid to strike, Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike; Alike reserv'd to blame, or to hesitate dislike; Alike reserv'd to blame, or to
commend, A tim'rous foe, and a suspicious friend” commend, A tim'rous foe, and a suspicious friend”
Alexander PopeAlexander Pope
““Satire should, like a polished razor keen, wound Satire should, like a polished razor keen, wound with a touch that's scarcely felt or seen” with a touch that's scarcely felt or seen” Lady Mary Lady Mary
Wortley MontaguWortley Montagu
On your notes paper, underline words or phrases in On your notes paper, underline words or phrases in these quotes that seem to capture the essence of satire!these quotes that seem to capture the essence of satire!
What is satire?What is satire?• Comes from the Latin word Comes from the Latin word saturasatura, meaning “, meaning “dish dish
of mixed ingredientsof mixed ingredients.”.”• A literary work in which A literary work in which human vicehuman vice or or follyfolly is is
attacked through irony, derision, or wit.attacked through irony, derision, or wit. • Almost always sarcastic or ironic.Almost always sarcastic or ironic.• Usually has a tone of “Usually has a tone of “mock-approvalmock-approval” – ” –
sarcastically supporting the very thing it is sarcastically supporting the very thing it is criticizing. criticizing.
How does the definition of satire relate to its Latin How does the definition of satire relate to its Latin root satura? root satura?
Forms of SatireForms of Satire• Drama (Drama (TartuffeTartuffe – Moliere) – Moliere)• Journalism (Journalism (The Onion)The Onion)• Fiction (Fiction (A Modest Proposal A Modest Proposal – Jonathan Swift, – Jonathan Swift,
Catch 22 Catch 22 Joseph Heller, Joseph Heller, The Adventures of The Adventures of Huckleberry FinnHuckleberry Finn – Mark Twain) – Mark Twain)
• Graphic Arts (editorial cartoons)Graphic Arts (editorial cartoons)• Television programs (“SNL,” “Daily Show,” “South Television programs (“SNL,” “Daily Show,” “South
Park”) Park”)
• What is the clip from the satirical newspaper What is the clip from the satirical newspaper The The Onion Onion posted below making fun of?posted below making fun of?
Problems with Satire President of The Onion regarding angry letters about
their news parody, "It’s whatever affects that person”
Common uncomprehending responses to satire revulsion (poor taste, "it's just not funny" for instance) misunderstanding that the satirist actually does support the
ideas, policies, or people he is attacking. • Example: Some critics of Mark Twain see Huckleberry Finn
as racist and offensive, missing the point that its author clearly intended it to be satire (racism being one of a number of concerns attacked in Huckleberry Finn)
Watch the parody video below. Who might be offended by this and why?
Some Literary Devices in Satire• Verbal irony/sarcasm• Euphemism• Parody• Juxtaposition• Antithesis• Elevated diction/jargon• Hyperbolic overstatement/exaggeration• Comparison/analogy
Finding examplesFinding examples
For these next slides, do your best to find For these next slides, do your best to find the examples in the article “Den of the examples in the article “Den of Dreams” and record on your notes sheet. Dreams” and record on your notes sheet.
Explain why you think the author used the Explain why you think the author used the technique (why is it funny)technique (why is it funny)
If you cannot find it, it is okay to leave it If you cannot find it, it is okay to leave it blank.blank.
What is a euphemism? What is a euphemism? a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one
considered to be too harsh or blunt What is the euphemism in paragraph 2?What is the euphemism in paragraph 2?
Example: Example:
Explain the euphemism (what other word might be used?): Explain the euphemism (what other word might be used?):
How does it add to the satirical tone of the piece?How does it add to the satirical tone of the piece?
Comparison/AnalogyComparison/AnalogyVideo games to the apocalypseVideo games to the apocalypse
Typically, what is the purpose of a comparison or analogy? Typically, what is the purpose of a comparison or analogy? To highlight some point of similarity between two different To highlight some point of similarity between two different
things.things.
What is the comparison in paragraph 2?What is the comparison in paragraph 2?
This one is hard to explain because you are probably not This one is hard to explain because you are probably not familiar with what he using as the comparison. See the familiar with what he using as the comparison. See the next slide to help you explain.next slide to help you explain.
Funkadelic!!!!Funkadelic!!!!
What is the purpose of this analogy? What is the purpose of this analogy?
How does it add to the satirical tone of the piece?How does it add to the satirical tone of the piece?
Verbal IronyVerbal Irony“Nothing says fun to kids like a good graph or chart.“Nothing says fun to kids like a good graph or chart.”
What is verbal irony? What is verbal irony?
What is said is the opposite of what is meantWhat is said is the opposite of what is meant
Where is the verbal irony in paragraph 3? (hint: it uses one Where is the verbal irony in paragraph 3? (hint: it uses one of the vocabulary words):of the vocabulary words):
Explain the verbal irony in the previous quotation. How Explain the verbal irony in the previous quotation. How does it add to the satirical tone of the piece (how is it does it add to the satirical tone of the piece (how is it funny)?funny)?
AntithesisAntithesis“My only love sprung from my only hate” (Shakespeare)“My only love sprung from my only hate” (Shakespeare)
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools" (Martin Luther King, Jr., 1964)together as fools" (Martin Luther King, Jr., 1964)
What is antithesis?What is antithesis?The opposition, or contrast of two ideas in a balanced or The opposition, or contrast of two ideas in a balanced or
parallel constructionparallel construction
Find the example in paragraph 3.
Explain this antithesis and discuss how it adds to the Explain this antithesis and discuss how it adds to the satirical quality of the piece.satirical quality of the piece.
HyperboleHyperbole“…when the sun is blocked out for 500 years by radio“…when the sun is blocked out for 500 years by radio
dust”; “With over 8 hours of solid game play”dust”; “With over 8 hours of solid game play” What is hyperbole?What is hyperbole?
The use of an exaggerated or extravagant statement to The use of an exaggerated or extravagant statement to create a strong emotional responsecreate a strong emotional response
Find the exaggeration in paragraph 4Find the exaggeration in paragraph 4
What does this hyperbolic statement allude to and how What does this hyperbolic statement allude to and how does it contribute to the satirical tone of the piece?does it contribute to the satirical tone of the piece?
Parody Parody Scary MovieScary Movie
What is parody?What is parody?
Something familiar is transformed into a different Something familiar is transformed into a different form to make a comic pointform to make a comic point
Where is the parody in this piece?Where is the parody in this piece?
Explain this example of parody and discuss how it Explain this example of parody and discuss how it adds to the satirical quality of the piece.adds to the satirical quality of the piece.
JuxtapositionJuxtaposition“Don’t want to spend three dollars and nineteen cents on a “Don’t want to spend three dollars and nineteen cents on a
hoola hoop? Why not pick up a Wii for just $300…”hoola hoop? Why not pick up a Wii for just $300…”
What is juxtaposition?What is juxtaposition?
The act or an instance of placing two or more The act or an instance of placing two or more things side by sidethings side by side (like antithesis but no parallel grammar)
Example (since this is not in the article, I am giving Example (since this is not in the article, I am giving you an example from one of the videos)you an example from one of the videos)
““hula hoop price to the price of a Wii”hula hoop price to the price of a Wii”
What is being juxtaposed above? Why is that What is being juxtaposed above? Why is that funny?funny?
Elevated dictionElevated dictionWhat is “elevated” diction?What is “elevated” diction?
Using formal or dignified words.Using formal or dignified words.
Find the words that are an example in paragraph 1, 5, Find the words that are an example in paragraph 1, 5, and the last paragraphand the last paragraph
Examples:Examples:
Use the next slide to help you answer why the author Use the next slide to help you answer why the author used these wordsused these words..
Elevated DictionElevated Diction
Why use begat? Where is this word and Why use begat? Where is this word and structure used? structure used?
Why dictum? Why dictum? dictum :: a formal pronouncement of a a formal pronouncement of a
principle, proposition, or opinion principle, proposition, or opinion :: an an observation intended or regarded as observation intended or regarded as authoritativeauthoritative
Why detritus?Why detritus?Detritus – the miscellaneous remnantsDetritus – the miscellaneous remnants
Why Satire?Why Satire?
Now that you know the elements of satire, Now that you know the elements of satire, what do you think makes Stephen what do you think makes Stephen Colbert’s use of satire effective? Colbert’s use of satire effective?
Why does Colbert use satire instead of Why does Colbert use satire instead of criticizing the person, group or institution criticizing the person, group or institution directly?directly?
Other techniquesOther techniques Similes, metaphors, oxymoron, personificationSimiles, metaphors, oxymoron, personification Distortion – change the perspective or isolate an event to Distortion – change the perspective or isolate an event to
stress certain partsstress certain parts Understatement – give less strength than what is expectedUnderstatement – give less strength than what is expected Innuendo – indirect or subtle referenceInnuendo – indirect or subtle reference Ambiguity – double meaning (puns)Ambiguity – double meaning (puns) Parable – succinct story to illustrate a lessonParable – succinct story to illustrate a lesson Allegory - symbolic story that serves as a disguised Allegory - symbolic story that serves as a disguised
representation for meanings other than those indicated on representation for meanings other than those indicated on the surface. the surface.
