Satire Synonyms: parody, burlesque, spoof, travesty, mockery, sarcasm, banter, wit

What is Satire? Satire (Noun): a literary tone used to ridicule or make fun of humans. A text (written or visual) that uses irony or wit to expose or attack human vice, foolishness, or stupidity is satirical. Satire conveys a message and reaches audiences in ways that a straightforward rhetorical argument cannot.

Elements of Satire It’s concerned with ethical reform and attacks corruption. It makes vice* laughable. *Vice = an immoral or evil habit or practice; a fault, defect, or shortcoming. If it attacks a person by name, it’s satire’s goal to make a caricature of that person to make him/her appear foolish. Satire uses extremes to make its audience aware of wrongs.

Point of View The satirist’s way of thinking about or approaching a subject is shaped by his or her own character, experience, mindset, and history.

Satirical Devices Euphemism – the use of a word or phrase that is more neutral, vague, or indirect to replace a direct, harsh, unpleasant, or offensive term. Hyperbole – deliberate and obvious exaggeration used for effect; “I could eat a million of these” Irony – something said or written that uses humor based on words suggesting the opposite of their literal meaning Understatement – a statement, or a way of expressing yourself, that is deliberately less forceful or dramatic than the subject would seem to justify or require

Satirical Modes Parody – a satire that mimics another a work of literature or art, usually as a way of criticizing it. Sometimes it is a way to persuade based on moral grounds. Reversal – when the satirist uses or describes the opposite of what he actually wants to happen in order to make a point. Caricature – an exaggerated portrayal of the weakness, frailties, or humorous aspects of an individual or group. Utopianism – A criticism of the status quo through comparison with a superior kind of society that highlights the weaknesses of one’s own. Dystopianism – A criticism of certain aspects of society through comparison to an inferior society that adopts some of these aspects.

Satire is used by many different authors and personalities as a form of rhetoric* to reach an audience. *Rhetoric = the art or science of effective use of language and argument.

With a Partner: Analyze the cartoon With a Partner: Analyze the cartoon. Look for the message and how/which elements of satire were used.

Analyze the cartoon. Look for the message and how/which elements of satire were used.

Partner Activity: Sponge Bob Identify: The message(s) The elements of satire used How the elements of satire help the audience understand the message(s) http://spongebob.nick.com/videos/clip/sailor-mouth-clip.html

Types of Satire Juvenal Satire: named after the Roman poet Juvenal, a harsher form of satire that uses anger and invective towards its subject which is supposed to enrage its audience. Horatian Satire: named after the Roman poet Horace, it uses mild, light hearted humor to expose the absurdity of a situation or institution. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2ty3b4EBMg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZGIn9bpALo

Famous American Satirists Kurt Vonnegut Jr.: Vonnegut used absurdist humor combining such things as time travel, aliens, optometry, and babies to give a scathing critique of the allied bombing of Dresden in World War II in his famous work Slaughter-House Five. Mark Twain: the most famous and controversial of American authors. In his most famous novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain criticizes everything from slavery, school, religion, and parenting.

Early Western Satirists Jonathan Swift (1667-1745): In the most famous piece of satire in the English language, Swift criticizes English society and humanity as a whole in Gulliver’s Travels, a book that has become mistakenly known as a children’s story. We will study his essay “A Modest Proposal” which suggests absurd ways to solve the problems of hunger and poverty in Ireland.

Modern Satirists

[possibly my favourite satirist: Oscar Wilde]

Dr. Suess: The Butter Battle Book With a Partner, Identify: The message(s) The elements of satire used How the elements of satire help the audience understand the message(s) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK027qfwyd4

Warning: Satire Cannot Be Taken At Face Value! Satire is the most misunderstood form of rhetoric. Many times satirists blur the line between absurdity and reality and their humor can be misconstrued for honest opinion. As you read the satire in this unit, consider how satire can make us laugh, make us angry, and challenge our assumptions all at the same time.

On reporting a current issue… CBS VS. COLBERT REPORT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwkbUnXCTOI&feature=fvsr http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/382941/april-27-2011/america-needs-to-see-obama-s-report-cards