Introduction to Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer, and comic elements

BackgroundSamuel Clemens (nom de plume:Mark Twain) was born on November 30, 1835 and died on April 21, 1910. "I came in 1835 with Halley's Comet . . . and I expect to go out with it. It'll be the great disappointment of my life if I don't. The Almighty has said, no doubt, 'Now here are two indefinable freaks. They came in together. They must go out together.' Oh, I am looking forward to that."

Early LifeTwain grew up in Hannibal, MissouriThe small town next to the Mississippi River became the inspiration for St. Petersburg in Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. Here, he began writing short pieces for the local paper

The Mississippi River

As a child the river was an escape from boredom, school, family, and church.Twain was a riverboat pilot until the Civil War, when he went west. In fact, Mark Twain means two-fathoms, or the depth that it is safe for a boat to travel in

Career as a WriterAfter moving west Twain gained fame as a humorous writerHe would become one of the most successful and admired writers in AmericaHis books, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is his most famous work

Tragedy and HumorTwain’s life was marked by tragic losses. His father died when Twain was 12. His younger brother died in a steamboat explosion, and he blamed himself for his brother’s death.He had four children, three of whom died before he did. His wife passed away six years before he did.

Tragedy and Humor

Twain dealt with the ugliness in life by using humorHis powers of observation combined with his cutting wit formed the foundation for his comic voiceAbsurdity, injustice, hypocrisy, politicians, and stupidity were favorite subjects/targets

Bell Work

“Against the power of laughter, nothing can stand”-Mark Twain

What do think this means?

Comic ElementsSlapstickHyperboleIrony (situational)Dramatic Irony Cosmic IronySarcasm (verbal irony)ParodyCaricatureSatire

*not a complete list, these are the ones we are focusing on

Slapstick

Comedy characterized by absurd situations and vigorous (energetic), physical, and often violent action from Merriam Webster

Hyperbole

Exaggerated speech used for emphasis or to elicit an emotional response SANDLOT- The Beast http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqPF8EBaUbI Write two examples of your own“My life is over!!!!”Your backpack weighs, like, a thousand pounds”

Hyperbole

Listen to the poem by Shel Silverstein, “Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take The Garbage Out” As we listen to it, follow along on your handout and underline examples of hyperbole

Hyperbole Worksheet

Take 10-15 minutes to individually complete the hyperbole worksheetWe’ll review some of them as a class

Slapstick

In groups of three, take 5-7 minutes to come up with a brief scene (30 seconds) that demonstrates your understanding of slapstickBe careful. No actual hitting or slapping is allowed but you can use props from the room. Be prepared to present your skit in front of the class. Each student must be involved.

Exit Ticket

On a separate sheet of paper: Define hyperbole in your own wordsThree examples of your own creation of hyperbole Define slapstick in your own wordsWrite a paragraph of a slapstick scene starring you!

AgendaWarm-up: Explain the quote Mini Lecture:

Caricature Parody

Read and Identify: Ch 21 and 22

“A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.”-Mark Twain

Caricature

Exaggeration by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics

Caricature continued

Caricature continued

Caricature is not only physical, it can exaggerate movement, speech patterns, mannerisms, and aspects of one’s personality

ParodyTakes a specific literary or musical work and exaggerates its form and language. Often replaces serious subjects with silly ones. A ridiculous imitation with the intention to mock its subject

Examples: Weird Al & SNL

Parody examples

Michael Jackson-We are the WorldFlight of the Conchords-Feel Inside

Parody Continued

Pharrell-Happy Weird Al-Tacky

Parody

You don’t even have to parody an artistic workYou can parody an idea, this includes your reputationTaylor Swift-Blank Space

Literary Parodies

Parodies also exist in literature. Writers mimic a story in order to mock it.

Sarcasm (verbal irony)Sarcasm is also known as verbal irony Sarcasm is the use of words that expresses the opposite of what it literally meansUsually is an insult masquerading (pretending to be) as praiseOh, that’s a really great idea Nice try, Einstein

Make a parody

Choose a commercial or magazine ad that you’ve seen and parody it.

Examples of parody ads

Parody Ads

Possible parodiesNikeVansAbercrombieGilly Hicks Fast food Pintrest Buzzfeed Reddit

TwitterInstagram Tumblr VineYouTube Skin care productsSoda iPads Etc. You cannot steal an idea you find online

Parody something from pop culture. Remember, you are imitating your subject’s form in order to mock, or make fun, of it.

Agenda

Lecture: Sarcasm, Irony, & Satire Writing Comic HeadlinesRW Read and identify comic elements in Ch. 12 & 18

“All generalizations are false, including this one”-Mark Twain

Sarcasm

Sarcasm: is an insult masquerading as praise

Oh, that’s a really great idea Nice try Einstein

Critical Thinking

What do you think the message of this comic is?

SatireSatire is the exposure of the vices (bad behavior) or follies (flaws) of an individual, a group, an institution, an idea, a society etc., usually with the view of correcting it

It is social criticism that uses humor.

Satire can use irony, sarcasm, hyperbole, parody, and sometimes slapstick

What is the message this clip?

Satire continuedHere is an example from The Simpsons

What exactly, is it satirizing? What’s the message here?

More Headlines

On the average American’s feelings about Syria“Having Gone This Far Without Caring

About Syria, Nation To Finish What It Started”

Angry online reviewers“Gallant Amazon User Heroically

Defends 'Fringe' Season 2 Box Set From Negative Reviewers”

Identify the comic element

That’s so funny I forgot to laugh. Chuck Norris is so tough, his cowboy boots are made of actual cowboys. Headline-”Man To Sail Around World To Decrease Awareness Of Important Issues”Inventor of GPS frequently gets lost driving home.

Practice with Satire

In pairs you will analyze four examples of satire Read through them together and discuss the meaning/message of each Using complete sentences, explain your thoughts

Bell Work

In your own words provide definitions for: Caricature Satire Verbal Irony

Irony

Situational irony: When what is expected and what actually occurs is different

What is ironic in this clip?

Irony continuedCosmic Irony: It’s a kind of situational irony.

The notion that a higher power is toying with one’s life

Iraqi terrorist Khay Rahnajet, didn't put enough postage on a letter bomb, and it came back marked "return to sender." He opened the package and was blown away. In San Jose, California, Herman, an avid hunter, used the butt of his shotgun to bash his girlfriend's windshield during an argument. But his loaded gun accidentally discharged into his stomach, killing him and ending the argument.

Irony continued

Dramatic irony: Where the audience knows more than the characters; words and actions carry additional meanings

Example: Romeo and Juliet The Parent Trap (based on Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper)

Comic ElementsIdentify each comic element:

“Fireman burns down house while playing with illegal fireworks”“Student’s backpack ‘weighs like 3000 lbs’” “American Patriot fails 8th grade Spanish” “New Landfill ‘smells really great’ says neighbor.