Introduction to Satire

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Introduction to Satire
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Satire

• What is satire?
• A kind of writing that ridicules human weakness,
  vice or folly in order to bring about social
  reform
• Q Why do you think humor makes social criticism
  more acceptable?

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Elements of Satire

• Exaggeration to enlarge beyond bounds or the
  truth (overstate). To enlarge or increase beyond
  the normal (overemphasize).
• Hyperbole A figure of speech not intended to be
  taken literally.
• Understatement representing in a weak or
  restrained way.
• Irony the use of words to convey a meaning that
  is opposite of its literal meaning
• Sarcasm A sharply ironical taunt
  sneering/cutting remark.

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Parody

• If satire is
• A kind of writing that ridicules human weakness,
  vice or folly in order to bring about social
  reform
• What is parody?
• The imitation of a work of literature, art or
  music for amusement or instruction

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Satire/Parody

• In many cases, satire and parody overlap, but a
  satire is not always a parody.
• A satire does not have to be comedic, while a
  parody almost always has some bit of humor
  involved in its creation.
• Parodies imitate their subject, while imitation
  is not necessary in a satire.

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Examples of Satire

• The Simpsons
• Family Guy
• South Park
• Scrubs
• Political Cartoons

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Examples of Parody

• "Weird Al" Yankovic
• Scary Movie
• Shrek

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Basic Types of Satire

• Horation
• Playful/sympathetic
• Seeks to correct vice/foolishness
• Gentle laughter/understanding
• Then flashed the living lightening from her
  eyes,/And screams of horror rend the affrighted
  skies./Not louder shrieks to pitying heaven are
  cast,/When husbands, or when lapdogs breathe
  their last Alexander Pope, The Rape of the
  Lock

• Juvenalian
• Dark/bitter/angry
• Criticizes corruption/incompetence with
  scorn/outrage
• Jonathan Swift
• Gullivers Travels
• A Modest Proposal

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Strategies for Reading Satire

• Determine the object of satire. Custom/character
  laughed at undesirable part of society being
  criticized.
• Note what is criticized in order to infer what
  satirist believes is right/wrong.
• Watch for irony. Often points directly to object
  of satire.
• Pay attention to anything exaggerated.
• Evaluate type of satire (Horation vs. Juvenalian)

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Closure

• Questions
• What is satire?
• What is parody?