SatireSatireMr. BarazzuolMr. Barazzuol

English 12English 12

What is satire?What is satire?

In satire, human or individual vices, follies, In satire, human or individual vices, follies, abuses or shortcomings are held up to find abuses or shortcomings are held up to find fault with by means of ridicule, mockery, fault with by means of ridicule, mockery, irony, or other methods, ideally with the irony, or other methods, ideally with the intent to bring about improvement. intent to bring about improvement. Although satire is meant to be funny, the Although satire is meant to be funny, the purpose of satire is not primarily humor in purpose of satire is not primarily humor in itself so much as an attack on something of itself so much as an attack on something of which the author strongly disapproves, using which the author strongly disapproves, using the weapon of wit.the weapon of wit.

What? Paraphrase, please…What? Paraphrase, please…

What is satire?What is satire?

SatireSatire: Making fun of : Making fun of some aspect of culture, some aspect of culture, society, and/or human society, and/or human nature to hopefully nature to hopefully improve it or inspire improve it or inspire change.change.

……IsnIsn’’t that comedy?t that comedy?

Satire Satire differs from differs from comedy comedy in that:in that:

– SatireSatire seeks to correct, improve, or seeks to correct, improve, or reform throughout ridiculereform throughout ridicule

– ComedyComedy aims simply to amuse its aims simply to amuse its audienceaudience

– Satire uses laughter as a weapon against Satire uses laughter as a weapon against something that exists outside the work something that exists outside the work itself.itself.

Two types of satireTwo types of satire

Formal (Direct) Formal (Direct) SatireSatire

The persona (speaker) The persona (speaker) uses first-person point of uses first-person point of viewview

This speaker may This speaker may address the reader or a address the reader or a character within the workcharacter within the work

Example: Example: ““A Modest A Modest ProposalProposal””

Indirect SatireIndirect Satire Some format other Some format other

than direct address to than direct address to the readerthe reader

This is usually a This is usually a fictional narrativefictional narrative, in , in which objects of satire which objects of satire are charactersare characters

Example: Example: Animal FarmAnimal Farm

Devices of SatireDevices of Satire

The chief device of satire is The chief device of satire is irony.irony.

What are the three types of irony?What are the three types of irony?

Devices of SatireDevices of Satire

Other Devices…Other Devices…

Parody: poking fun at something by Parody: poking fun at something by mimicking or imitating it mimicking or imitating it

Caricature: poking fun at a character Caricature: poking fun at a character by by exaggerating its exaggerating its personal personal characteristics in drawing or characteristics in drawing or narrative narrative

Devices of SatireDevices of Satire

Juxtaposition: the arrangement of two Juxtaposition: the arrangement of two or or more characters, ideas, more characters, ideas, or or words side-by-side for words side-by-side for the the purpose of comparison, purpose of comparison,

contrast, or character contrast, or character development development

Sarcasm: taunting on a personal level Sarcasm: taunting on a personal level by by saying something and saying something and meaning meaning the opposite the opposite

Devices of SatireDevices of Satire

Innuendo: a derogatory suggestion that Innuendo: a derogatory suggestion that is is not literally spoken but not literally spoken but rather rather hinted at hinted at

Understatement: A figure of speech in Understatement: A figure of speech in which a writer or which a writer or speaker deliberately speaker deliberately

makes a situation makes a situation seem seem less important less important than it isthan it is

Analyzing Satire in 5 easy Analyzing Satire in 5 easy steps!steps!

1. What's the tone of the satire? (grim, cheerful, sardonic, mock serious, optimistic,

etc.)

2. What type of satire is this? (direct vs. indirect)

3. What is the writer satirizing? (what aspect of society are they trying to criticize?)

4. What is the writer's purpose in satirizing this subject?

(what do they want to change?)

5. What literary techniques does the writer use in

this satire? (hyperbole, understatement, irony, humor, etc.)