Satire

SATIRE   Definition— A text or performance that uses irony, derision, or wit to expose or attack human vice, foolishness, or stupidity. Satire may generate laughter but essentially has a moral purpose. It is typically directed at correctable instances of folly or immorality in humanity and its institutions. Its goal is to provoke a response, ideally some kind of reform.

QUOTES ON SATIRE "Satire is a lesson, parody is a game." (Vladimir Nabokov, Strong Opinions, 1973) "Satire is traditionally the weapon of the powerless against the powerful. One kind makes us chuckle about our foibles and our shared humanity—like what Garrison Keillor does. The other kind holds people up to public contempt and ridicule—that's what I do.“ (Molly Ivins) "[A]busive satire is a wit contest, a kind of game in which the participants do their worst for the pleasure of themselves and their spectators. . . . If the exchange of insults is serious on one side, playful on the other, the satiric element is reduced." (Dustin H. Griffin, Satire: A Critical Reintroduction. Univ. Press of Kentucky, 1994)

SATIRICAL TECHNIQUES

IRONY DEFINITION— NOTE: Verbal- the use of words to express something other than and often the opposite of the literal meaning. Situational- When the outcome is opposite of what is expected. NOTE: Irony is often connected to sarcastic or satiric speech, BUT should not be confused with sarcasm or satire. Sarcasm usually targets a specific person; irony generally lacks a hurtful aim. Satire ridicules human weakness in order to spur reform and better humanity; irony typically lacks this ameliorative intent.

Verbal Irony: SARCASM DEFINITION–Intentional derision, generally directed at another person and intended to hurt. Sarcasm usually involves exaggerated verbal irony in which it is obvious from the context and tone that the speaker means the opposite of what he or she says. This heightens the effect of the insult. EXAMPLE: “Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”—Mark Twain “You have delighted us long enough.”—Jane Austen

Verbal Irony: WIT DEFINITION–A form of wordplay that displays cleverness or ingenuity with language. Often, but not always, wit displays humor. EXAMPLES: “Among all the forms of absurd courage, the courage of girls is outstanding. Otherwise there would be far fewer marriages.”—Colette “Everywhere I go I’m asked if I think the university stifles writers. My opinion is that they don’t stifle enough of them. There’s many a bestseller that could have been prevented by a good teacher.”—Flannery O’Connor

Verbal Irony: PUN DEFINITION–A play on words that exploits the similarity in sound between two words with different meanings. A pun may also employ one word that has multiple meanings. EXAMPLES: “He kept waving at the princess. He was a devoted fan.” “Broken pencils are pointless.”

Hyperbole DEFINITION–Gross exaggeration for the purpose of pointing out the flaws in an idea, group, or system EXAMPLES: Had her name included no s's, she probably would have bypassed a career in therapy and devoted herself to yanking out healthy molars or performing unwanted clitoridectomies on the schoolgirls of Africa. Such was her personality. -David Sedaris

Bonus* Paradox: an apparently true statement or group of statements that leads to a contradiction or simultaneous existence of opposites together Examples: You have to spend money to make money “I can resist anything, but temptation”-Oscar Wilde The beginning of the end

Juxtaposition The placement of two unlike characters, objects, symbols next to one another in a sentence, paragraph or essay/work of literature in order to highlight the contrast between them. The author juxtaposes dark and light… The juxtaposition of dark and light…

Satire vs. Parody Parody is satire, but all satire is not parody So how does one tell the difference? Parody Form: mocks an existing form Tone: humorus Purpose: to mock for comedic effect Example: Colbert Report Satire Form: original or imitation Tone: disapproving or humorous Purpose: to criticize Example: A Modest Proposal