SATIRE 2013
Definition An art form in which human or individual vices, follies, abuses, or shortcomings are criticized through ridicule ideally with the intent to bring about improvement Say what? Basically, it’s art (literature, film, song, image) that points out and criticizes a problem with humanity or society. In the best case scenario, it causes people to RETHINK their behavior and change it.
Audiences There are three audiences: 1. Those whom the author (or artist) believes to already be in agreement with their viewpoint. (aka those on your side) 2. Those whom the author (or artist) would like to ridicule for their opposing viewpoint. (aka those whom you will stealthily ridicule) 3. Those whom the author (or artist) believes may be persuaded through exposure to the satirical work. (aka the "swing" audience)
Horatian satire- Satire in which the voice is tolerant, amused, and witty (funny/clever). The speaker holds up to gentle ridicule the absurdities and problems of human beings, aiming at producing in the reader not the anger of a Juvenal, but wry smile or laugh. (Aims to correct through humor) It is tolerant, witty, wise and self-effacing
Juvenalian satire Formal satire in which the speaker attacks problems and error with disrespect and anger. Juvenalian satire in its realism and its harshness is in strong contrast to Horatian satire. It is angry, caustic, resentful, personal
Satiric Devices Humor Surprise – twist endings, unexpected events Exaggeration – think of Jim Carrey’s exaggerated facial expressions Understatement - An Army officer has just lost his leg. When asked how he feels, he looks down at his bloody stump and responds, "Stings a bit.“
Satiric Devices More Humor Incongruity – things do NOT belong together Deflation – the English professor mispronounces a word, the President slips and bangs his head leaving the helicopter Linguistic games – weird rhymes, malapropisms (misusing words habitually)
Satiric Devices Irony – incongruity in what someone says or does and what is meant or what is generally understood Invective – name calling, personal abuse Mock Encomium – praise which is only apparent and which suggests blame instead
Satiric Devices Comic Juxtaposition – linking together with no commentary items which normally do not go together Mock Epic/Mock Heroic – using elevated diction and devices from the epic or the heroic to deal with low or trivial subjects Parody – mimicking the style and/or techniques of something or someone else
Satiric Devices Inflation – taking a real-life situation and blowing it out of proportion to make it ridiculous and showcase its faults Diminution – taking a real-life situation and reducing it to make it ridiculous and showcase its faults Grotesque – creating a tension between laughter and horror or revulsion – the essence of all “sick humor” or “black humor”
Now for some examples What type of satire: Juvenalian or Horatian? What Satiric Devices does it use? What does it criticize?
Example 1 – from Despair.com What tools are used? What type of satire is it?
Example 2– Political Cartoon What tools are used? What type of satire is it?
Example 3 – (once) Popular song What tools are used? What type of satire is it?
Example 4 – Political Cartoon What tools are used? What type of satire is it?
Example 5 – Children’s Film What tools are used? What type of satire is it?
Example 6 – Mock News What tools are used? What type of satire is it?
Example 7 – Musical Parody What tools are used? What type of satire is it?
Example 8 – War is Kind Do this on your own! Read through it and determine What the author is using to make his point The element of society that s/he is criticizing What type of satire the poem represents
Animal Farm Key Terms: It is a SATIRE It is also an ALLEGORY (a story in which EVERYTHING stands for something beyond the actual story on the page) Reading Schedule: On your original calendar Expect reading quizzes Chapter 1-2 due Wednesday along with Edmodo posts!