Satire And Satirical Devices

Cornell-ish Notes Write your essential question(s) at the top What is satire? What is the purpose or goal of satire? Leave room on the left side of the paper to go back and write questions This is part of your grade Leave room at the bottom to summarize/reflect on information in your own words This is also part of your grade Cornell-ish Notes

A form of literature that uses irony, sarcasm, parody, hyperbole and other methods of ridicule and humor to criticize human institutions and human folly, weakness, or vice The purpose of satire is usually social reform The satirist wants not to destroy, but to repair or improve humanity or human institutions Although satire is often meant to be humorous or shocking, its greater purpose is often social criticism, using wit to draw attention to issues that need reforming. Satire

Characteristics Holds a moral Any piece of writing designed to make readers feel critical of: Themselves Fellow human beings Their society Usually aimed at humanity in general, but can be aimed at a stereotyped group of people or a particular individual Satirists’ premise is that when an unacceptable situation is exposed to ridicule and laughter, it cannot last very long Characteristics

Satirists are dissatisfied with things as they are They want to make them better Instead of giving constructive advice, they emphasize what is wrong with the world and its inhabitants e.g. - Instead of saying “Be good” or “Put others before yourself”, satirists make fun of or exaggerate vicious, selfish people in hopes we will see ourselves in such people and change our ways Satirists perform an important function in society by exposing errors and absurdities that we no longer notice because they have become familiar customs

Juvenalian – satire addresses social evil through scorn, outrage, and savage ridicule. This form is often pessimistic, characterized by irony, sarcasm, moral indignation and personal criticism, with less emphasis on humor. Meant to make us angry and indignant at human vices and crimes

Horatian - playfully criticizes some social vice through gentle, mild, and light- hearted humor; addresses issues with humor and clever mockery. Generally intended to make us laugh at human foolishness and weakness

Irony - A figure of speech in which the actual intent is expressed in words that carry the opposite meaning Verbal – when what is said is the opposite of what is meant Situational – when the appearance of things is opposite to the reality Dramatic – when what a character says or thinks is not what the reader, audience or other characters know to be true Satirical Devices

Examples Verbal Irony Situational Irony Dramatic Irony Your boyfriend/girlfriend shows up in ripped up jeans and a stained t-shirt. With a smirk, you say, "Oh! I see you dressed up for our date. We must be going to a posh restaurant." Situational Irony Once upon a time, there was a girl who went into the woods. She entered a funny little house, and she was kinda hungry so she ate a bowl of porridge that was sitting on the table. Unfortunately for her, it was poisoned and she died. Dramatic Irony When watching a talk show, the audience knows why a person has been brought on the show. However, the person sitting in a chair does not know that he is going to be reunited with a former lover. This adds to the suspense and humor of the show. Examples

Sarcasm - A bitter or cutting speech, intended to wound a person’s feelings. It comes from a Greek word meaning to tear flesh Sarcasm is an example of verbal irony (although verbal irony does not have to be sarcastic) Example - Mother comes into the TV room and discovers her 11-year-old watching South Park instead of doing his homework, as he was set to a dozen minutes ago.  Pointing to the screen she says, "Don't let me tempt you from your duties, kiddo, but when you're finished with your serious studies there, maybe we could take some time out for recreation and do a little math." Satirical Devices

Hyperbole (Overstatement) - A figure of speech that employs exaggeration in order to make the actual meaning of the moment clearer Example - Someone tells us of an occasion on which he told an off-color joke about a grandmother and then realized to his surprise that his own grandmother, a prim and proper lady, happened to be standing right behind him.  "I literally died," he says. Satirical Devices

Understatement - A figure of speech in which what is actually meant is expressed by lessening or negating the full significance of the moment Example – “He’s not the world’s best speller”, “She’s not a terrible cook” Satirical Devices

Parody - An imitation of the style of an author or work for comic effect and ridicule Satirical Devices

Modern Satire Political Cartoons, fake news sites (The Onion, etc.) Often utilize exaggerations and extremes South Park, The Simpsons, Family Guy Rely almost exclusively on satire to address issues in American culture The Colbert Report Demonstrates the principle of modern American political satire: the ridicule of the actions of politicians and other public figures by taking all their statements and supposed beliefs to the furthest (supposedly) logical conclusion, thus revealing their perceived hypocrisy or absurdity. Modern Satire

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