Satire Definition and Technique

Definition  Type of writing that ridicules human weakness, vices, or folly in order to bring about social reform

Satirists  Satirists are dissatisfied with the way things are, and they want to make them better.  Satirists perform an important function in society when they expose errors and absurdities that we no longer notice because custom and familiarity have blinded us to them.  Satirists try to persuade readers to do or believe something by showing the opposite view as ridiculous or even vicious and inhumane

Techniques  Satirists use many techniques to get their point across  These include: Exaggeration (Hyperbole) Understatement Illogical statements Improbable situations Parody Irony

Exaggeration  To represent something as larger or greater than it actually is  Hyperbole – term for extreme exaggeration  For example: overstatements such as All teens are irresponsible All politicians are corrupt “You should have seen the size of the fish I caught. It weighed at least 50 pounds!”

Understatement  A figure of speech that consists of saying less than what is really meant or saying something with less force than is appropriate  For example: Saying “It is a bit wet out there” after coming in from a torrential downpour

Illogical Statements  A statement that is not logical or reasonable; one that is based on, or caused by, faulty reasoning;  In satire, these statements are dressed up as common sense, even though the ideas are completely absurd "Guns are like hammers-they're both tools with metal parts that could be used to kill someone. And yet it would be ridiculous to restrict the purchase of hammers-so restrictions on purchasing guns are equally ridiculous." "My roommate said her philosophy class was hard, and the one I'm in is hard, too. All philosophy classes must be hard!"

Improbable Situations  A situation that is highly unlikely to occur; one that is not likely to happen or be true  In satire, these situations can be seen as very silly and absurd Winning the lottery twice

Parody  Definition: An imitation of an artistic work for amusement or instruction  Ex: Weird Al songs, Scary Movie, Epic Movie, SNL

Irony  A contrast or discrepancy between expectations and reality—between what is said and what is really meant, between what is expected and what really happens, or between what appears to be true and what is really true.

Irony falls into 3 Categories  Verbal Irony: When a writer or speaker says one thing but really means the opposite. If you tell a friend who shows up an hour late for an appointment, “I just love being kept waiting in the rain,” you are using verbal irony.

Situational Irony  When what is actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate.  For example: In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy had the power to go home the whole time; the tin man was looking for a heart but had one all the time  King Midas story

Dramatic Irony  When the audience/reader knows something important that a character in a story does not know.  Can heighten a comic effect or generate suspense.  Ex: In Romeo and Juliet, we know that Juliet isn’t really dead, but Romeo doesn’t

How to Analyze Satire 1.Who/what is being ridiculed? 2.Purpose of satire? 3.What is the message being conveyed? 4.Techniques used to convey the message?