Swift

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Swift Rock

• Using SATIRE and persona for social change

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• In order to adequately study Swifts Modest
  Proposal we must first understand SATIRE, which
  can be a very confusing concept.
• The problem is we know what sarcasm is, but
  maybe not the meaning behind it!
• So we ask WHY is this satirical? WHAT is
  satirical about it?

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What are the subjects of these cartoons?
What issues are they discussing?
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What changes are they hoping to make based on
their statements?
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SATIRE

• The type of writing that ridicules the
  shortcomings of human beings or institutions to
  bring about change.
• Satires often try to convince the reader to do or
  believe something by showing the opposing view as
  absurd, vicious, or inhumane.
• Writers use exaggeration, irony, understatement,
  ridiculous situations, and many other tools to
  create satire.

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What to look for..?

• Exaggeration
• To enlarge, increase, or represent something
  beyond normal bounds so that it becomes
  ridiculous and its faults can be seen.
• Incongruity
• To present things that are out of place or are
  absurd in relation to its surroundings.
• Reversal
• To present the opposite of the normal order
  (e.g., the order of events, hierarchical order).
  
• Parody
• To imitate the techniques and/or style of some
  person, place, or thing.

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Situational Irony

• Similar to satire, situational irony is when what
  actually happens is the opposite of what is
  expected or appropriate. Situational irony,
  which is often accompanied by surprise, reminds
  us that life is unpredictable.

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Satire Swift

• Swift uses SATIRE to make fun of human weakness,
  vice, and folly, hoping to motivate his readers
  to change themselves and society.

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Persona

• Writers often take on a persona in their
  writing- writing in a voice that is not their
  own.
• Swifts persona is that of a projector who is
  an economic planner. Swift pretends to be
  objective, sensible, even sensitive and kind.
  The difference between the essays sober,
  straightforward style and its appalling content,
  however, gives the proposal its ironic force. At
  times, Swift seems to drop the persona and speak
  his own voice, expressing his fury and
  indignation.

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Satire Rock
Bruce Springstein- Born in the USA
Neil Young- Rockin in the Free World
John Cougar Mellencamp- Pink Houses
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Contemporary SATIRE

• SATIRE, IRONY, and PARODY can be found in todays
  music, television, and film.
• FILM EXAMPLE SHREK series. Spoofing fairytales
  and their illogical messages.
• TV EXAMPLE The Simpsons. Parody Lord of the
  Flies.

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Satire and Shrek

• What are some fairy tales that you are familiar
  with? What is the basic plotline?
• What are some common elements of fairy tales?

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Common Elements of Fairy Tales

• A fairy tale begins with "Once upon a time...
• Fairy tales happen in the long ago.
• Fairy Tales have fantasy and make believe in
  them.
• Fairy Tales have clearly defined Good characters
  vs. Evil characters.
• Royalty is usually present in a fairy tale, a
  beautiful princess/handsome prince.
• There may be magic with giants, elves, talking
  animals, witches or fairies.
• Fairy tales have a problem that needs to be
  solved.
• It often takes three tries to solve the problem.
• Fairy tales have happy endings they all lived
  happily ever after.
• Fairy tales usually teach a lesson or have a
  theme.

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• Shrek satirizes traditional fairy tales by
  departing from and mocking (or making fun of )
  typical fairy tale characteristics in a humorous
  way!
• We will watch 4 clips from the film

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SNL satirical skits
While youre watching, look for satire, irony,
and parody to fill in your organizers.