Fables, satires and irony An Overview

fable A text that incorporates animals or objects from nature as major characters in order to create a story that conveys a definite moral lesson. Animal characters are designed to represent particular aspects of human nature. The moral of the story always sheds light on faults or problems present in the character or behavior of humans. Many fables often include covert criticism of particular human begins, or the human race in general.

Personification vs. anthropomorphism *Both involve assigning human characteristics and qualities to a non-human entity (animals, rivers, mountains, wind, etc.) Personification: the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form. Anthropomorphism: personification…yet it retains it’s nonhuman form.

examples Personification: Anthropomorphism: The Easter Bunny The Easter Bunny becomes a total embodiment of human characteristics and abilities. Anthropomorphism: “The wind blew violently, expressing the full extent of it’s violent rage.” The wind retains it’s nonhuman form, while taking on human emotions, abilities, and intentions.

Advantages of using fables Readers are often more inclined to read criticism and consider the validity of the moral at the end of the story if they do not feel personally attacked. Readers can choose to recognize the criticism, or take the story literally. Fables tend to retain a sense of humor/lightheartedness, which makes them easy to read/comprehend.

irony Literary device that creates a discrepancy between what a writer, speaker, or narrator says in a text and what is understood by the reader or by other characters. Three major types of irony: Situational Irony Verbal Irony Dramatic/Tragic Irony

Situational irony When an event produces a completely unexpected outcome. Examples: A person who claims to be a vegan and avoids meat but will eat a slice of pepperoni pizza because they are hungry. Example: A man who is a traffic cop gets his license suspended for unpaid parking tickets.

Situational irony

Verbal irony When a writer, speaker, or narrator uses words to say one thing when he really means the opposite of what he says. Examples: Soft like a brick Hard as putty Clear like dirt

Verbal irony

Dramatic/tragic irony Occurs when the words or actions of a character reveal his/her ignorance, while the reader or the audience has information that the character does not, and therefore understands the situation perfectly. Most commonly used in Animal Farm. Examples: Titanic: We know that the boat is going to sink, but the characters do not.

Dramatic irony

satire Relies heavily on irony. The writer uses humor and wit in order to voice his criticism of a particular person or group of people.

Satire examples The Daily Show Austin Powers Scary Movie Anything by Weird Al Yankovich

assignment Would Animal Farm have been as successful had Orwell chosen not to use the fable format? Defend your answer! (7 points) Find one example of verbal irony, situational irony, and dramatic irony in Animal Farm. Explain it. Provide page numbers. (6 points) Come up with 3 other examples of satires. Explain them each in a few sentences. (6 points)