The Methods of Satire

Three Golden Questions What groups, institutions, and/or practices are being satirized? What methods does the author employ when constructing her or her satire? What is the tone of the satire?

What groups, institutions, and/or practices are being satirized? Group, organization, institution Individuals A type of person A social class A prevailing philosophy Social manners Modern progress or lack thereof Humankind

What methods does the author use? Irony Parody Allegory Burlesque Fable Lampoon Epigram Caricature Hyperbole Exaggeration

What is the tone of the satire? Horatian Satire is a type of direct satire which pokes fun at human foibles with a witty or even indulgent tone. Cheerful Urbane Tongue-in-cheek Optimistic Witty Chiding

Horatian Satire This type of satire is named after the Roman satirist Horatian. It seeks to criticize, rather than attack, immorality or stupidity. In general, Horatian satire is more tolerant of human folly. Unlike Juvenalian satire, it serves to make us laugh at human folly as opposed to holding our failures up for needling. Horatian satire tends to ridicule human folly in general or by type rather than attack specific persons. It tends to produce a smile.

What is the tone of the satire? Juvenalian is a type of direct satire which denounces sometimes invective, human vice and error in dignified or solemn tones. Sardonic Contemptuous Acerbic Acrimonious Indignant Cutting Angry

Juvenalian Satire This type of satire is named after the Roman satirist Juvenal. It is harsher than Horatian satire because it often attacks and shows contempt for people. Often, it seeks to address some evil in society through scorn and ridicule. The Juvenalian satirist approaches his work in a more serious manner and uses dignified language to attack erroneous thinking or vice. In this way Juvenalian satire evokes feelings of scorn, shock,

Irony Refers to contrast or discrepancy between appearance and reality. Three types of Irony Verbal Irony Situational Irony Dramatic Irony

Verbal Irony Verbal irony is when there is a contrast between what a speaker literally says and what he or she means. Example-”Hey John, you did a great job on that paper!”

Situational Irony Situational irony is when an event or a situation turns out to be the reverse of what is expected. Example-Winning the lotto was the best thing that ever happened to me, until…

Dramatic Irony Dramatic irony is when the audience/reader is aware of an event or situation, that the characters do not yet know. Example-In Romeo & Juliet, the audience knows Juliet is not really dead, but poor Romeo does not know this information.

Epigram A short, pointed, and witty statement, either constituting an entire poem or “buried” within a larger one. Example-“I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but I see you are unarmed!”

Allegory A type of narrative that attempts to reinforce its thesis by making its characters (and sometimes its events and setting, as well) represent specific abstract ideas or qualities. Example-”Paradise Lost” by John Milton

Fable A story with a moral lesson, often employing animals who talk and act like human beings. Example-”The Tortoise and the Hare”

Allegory and Fable

Parody, Lampoon & Burlesque A form of humor that ridicules person, attitudes, actions, or things by means of distortion and exaggeration. Burlesque of a particular literary work is referred to as parody. Examples-The Hunger Pains Weird Al Yankovic

Caricature, Exaggeration & Hyperbole A caricature creates humor by distorting or exaggerating an individual’s prominent physical features.

Write a paragraph analyzing this cartoon Remember the three golden questions of satire What or who is being satirized? What methods are being used? What is the tone? DO NOT forget to describe the cartoon so the reader can understand what you are analyzing

Analyze this cartoon

Analyze this cartoon

Homework! Read Mark Twain’s “Advice to Youth”, a motivational speech. As you read, highlight/underline satirical passages. Consider the subject matter and Twain’s tone toward it. After reading, complete the satire analysis guide.