Power Point #3: Speaker/Author Message Today, we will be taking more notes on satire, specifically on the difference between the author’s message and the speaker’s message. Today, we will be taking more notes on satire, specifically on the difference between the author’s message and the speaker’s message. You will be tested on Author/Speaker message Friday, March 21. You must take this test to work with a group on the final satire project! You will be tested on Author/Speaker message Friday, March 21. You must take this test to work with a group on the final satire project! 1

A Satirist (person who writes satire): Uses laughter as a weapon Uses laughter as a weapon Mixes criticism with humor… Mixes criticism with humor… …but does not stoop to insults or abusive language …but does not stoop to insults or abusive language Tries to get people to think critically about the issue being discussed Tries to get people to think critically about the issue being discussed Tries to inspire people to improve or reform the situation Tries to inspire people to improve or reform the situation Tone: The attitude the writer or speaker takes toward a subject. It reflects the feelings of the writer or speaker. The choice of words and details given help establish the tone, which might be serious, humorous, sarcastic, playful, ironic, bitter, or objective Tone: The attitude the writer or speaker takes toward a subject. It reflects the feelings of the writer or speaker. The choice of words and details given help establish the tone, which might be serious, humorous, sarcastic, playful, ironic, bitter, or objective 2

A Satirist uses… … A fictional, calm observer as a narrator or speaker. This is like how an actor creates a character in a movie. The speaker a satirist (or author) creates is usually naïve and clueless about the fact that what they are saying is offensive or possibly inappropriate. They usually sound sincere! Narrator addresses topic without revealing true emotions of satirist (author). Usually, the speaker has the OPPOSITE feelings of the writer. 3

Another way to think about it: Author = Satirist/Writer. Person who is being critical of something in society. Speaker = Fictional Narrator of the satire, who seems totally sincere. 4

Now let’s try with cartoons (page 6 in packet): 5

CartoonWho is the speaker in the cartoon? Speaker viewpointAuthor (writer) viewpoint Mommy The Yard Teacher It is important not to do anything that ever might offend someone. It is silly how concerned we have become with not offending people. Video Reality Show 6

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CartoonWho is the speaker in the cartoon? Speaker viewpointAuthor (writer) viewpoint Mommy The Yard Teacher It is important not to do anything that ever might offend someone. It is silly how concerned we have become with not offending people. Video The Kid (notice it is NOT the Dad) Video games ARE real life. Violence is cool and normal. Video games are making kids lose track of reality, and become dangerously desensitized to violence. Reality Show 8

Sometimes, background knowledge is needed: 9

CartoonWho is the speaker in the cartoon? Speaker viewpointAuthor (writer) viewpoint Mommy The Yard Teacher It is important not to do anything that ever might offend someone. It is silly how concerned we have become with not offending people. Video The Kid (notice it is NOT the Dad) Video games ARE real life. Violence is cool and normal. Video games are making kids lose track of reality, and become dangerously desensitized to violence. Reality Show The reality TV host Even horrible and graphic situations are fair game for reality TV and should be seen by public. The more graphic, the better. It is ridiculous what will be made into reality TV these days and usually the more sensational something is the more likely it will be exploited for public viewing. 10

Now, time to put it all together! (Page 7 in packet) What group of people is the author trying to criticize in this satire? What is the speaker’s message in this satire? Remember that the speaker is part of the group of people the author is trying to criticize. Explain the speaker’s message in a paragraph. What is the author’s message in this satire? What flaws or problems in our society is the author trying to criticize? Explain the author’s message in a paragraph The next slides show an example for Monty Python’s Holy Grail 11

Monty Python’s Holy Grail example What group of people is the author trying to criticize in this satire? – –The group of people being criticized are those group of people who have power in this time period such as kings and knights. 12

What is the speaker’s message in this satire? Remember that the speaker is part of the group of people the author is trying to criticize. Explain the speaker’s message in a paragraph. – –The speaker’s message (which would be the knights and kings) is that knights and kings were necessary to instill peace to a group of people and that kings had the best interest in mind when it came to the people that served them and whom they ruled. Also, the speaker would want you to believe that knights were noble and courageous and that kings were wise and benevolent rulers. 13

What is the author’s message in this satire? What flaws or problems in our society is the author trying to criticize? Explain the author’s message in a paragraph. – –The author’s message is that historically, this time period in history is usually romanticized as being filled with brave and noble knights and kind ruling kings. Society likes to believe that Camelot was truly the example of a benevolent kingdom (same way we romanticized the JFK administration by calling it Camelot). However, this time period in history was quite chaotic and deadly for those living in this time in history. This was the time of the plague where millions of people died, holy wars were fought that killed thousands of innocent people just because they had a different religion as the ruling king, and lower classes had no choice in their rulers and democracy was a far-off dream. The film pokes fun at our ideas of this time period in history. 14

Your Turn Using the cartoons we just looked at, fill out the chart on pages 7-8. Using the cartoons we just looked at, fill out the chart on pages 7-8. You will have a test on this later next week. You will have a test on this later next week. If you are confused NOW, ask questions. If you are confused NOW, ask questions. When you are done, see Ms. Benton to check in and move on to the next assignment to get accomplished! When you are done, see Ms. Benton to check in and move on to the next assignment to get accomplished! 15

These questions are at the top of page of page 7. What group of people is the author trying to criticize in this satire? What is the speaker’s message in this satire? Remember that the speaker is part of the group of people the author is trying to criticize. Explain the speaker’s message in a paragraph. What is the author’s message in this satire? What flaws or problems in our society is the author trying to criticize? Explain the author’s message in a paragraph 16