Satire

Definition of Satire: “makes fun” of its subject through the use of techniques such as reversal, exaggeration, incongruity, and parody human or individual vices shortcomings are ridiculed with the intent to bring about improvement Usually meant to be funny, but is also an attack on something of which the author strongly disapproves

Reversal To present opposite of the normal order or role (e.g. order of events or hierarchy)

Example of Reversal:

Exaggeration To enlarge, increase, or represent something beyond normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous (it often reveals faults)

Example of Exaggeration:

Incongruity To present things that are out of place or absurd to its surroundings

Example of Incongruity:

Satire: Horatian or Juvenalian The great Roman poets Horace and Juvenal set indelibly the features of the genre known as the formal verse satire. Their work influenced all subsequent literary satire.Horace Juvenal

Satire: Horatian or Juvenalian Horatian satire is clever and humorous and generally mocks others. Horatian satire is not negative; it aims to make fun of human behavior in a comic way. Readers often laugh at the characters in the story who are the subject of mockery as well as themselves and society for behaving in those ways. Example: Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest

Juvenalian satire is bitter and savage criticism of contemporary persons and institutions (social evils) that is filled with personal invective, angry moral indignation, pessimism, sarcasm, and irony. Examples: George Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm, and Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 Satire: Horatian or Juvenalian

Parody vs. Satire The distinction between parody and satire is complex, and can be complicated by overlapping comedic styles. Most definitions consider a parody to be a mimicry of an established idea, concept or person for comedy, while satire deconstructs a subject for humor without reproducing it directlyparodysatire

Parody vs. Satire A major distinction between parody and satire is the goals which they try to attain. While both are considered styles of humor, their purpose may be very different-

Parody vs. Satire Almost exclusively, satire explores an anger or frustration at the status quo, using humor as a tool to make the subject palatable. Satire is a more subtle concept, involving mockery usually without mimicry. The style is often related to a desire for social or political change, leading some to call satire the meeting of humor and anger.

Parody vs. Satire Parody may or may not have a desire to incite social change, and can be used for pure entertainment through extreme portrayals of established ideas or characters

Example of Parody: