1. Satire Criticism Through Laughter

2. What Is Satire? Satire is a type of humorous writing that ridicules the shortcomings of people or institutions in an attempt to bring about a change. Satire is a type of humorous writing that ridicules the shortcomings of people or institutions in an attempt to bring about a change. –Satire may range from gentle mockery to harsh condemnation. –Satires can be works of fiction, nonfiction, drama, fiction, nonfiction, drama, or poetry. or poetry. © Vince O’Farrell

3. The Purpose of Satire The purpose of satire is not only to make readers laugh but also to point out problems or flaws. The moral goal of a satire may be The purpose of satire is not only to make readers laugh but also to point out problems or flaws. The moral goal of a satire may be –real-world change or reform –honest re-examination of values –development of new goals, attitudes, or perspectives

4. Two Major Types of Satirist 1. Horatian- the optimist (to heal of reform vices) –sees themselves as a physician –tells truth with a smile so as not to repel them, but to cure them of their ignorance which is their worst fault. 2. Juvenalian - the pessimist (to punish or destroy) –hates or despises most people –purpose is not to cure but to wound –sees themselves as an executioner

5. MOTIVES Personal hatred or grudge Personal hatred or grudge - usually disclaims this by saying that it is for the public good Prejudice from a bad experience Prejudice from a bad experience - ethnic, religious, gender Aesthetic motive (for art’s sake) Aesthetic motive (for art’s sake) - pleasure of manipulating own material - own special pattern as an artist

6. Modes and Means Low Burlesque Low Burlesque - making someone or something important look trivial High Burlesque High Burlesque - making someone or something low look important - blowing something out of proportion; exaggeration - complaints, stories from friends

7. The Seven Satiric Tones Wit Wit - Wit often combines incongruous ideas in a humorous and unexpected way. Glass, china, and reputation are easily cracked and never well mended. Benjamin Franklin Ridicule Ridicule - Good tempered and under control - Must confine itself to lighter things Irony Irony - The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning. © 2003-2004 clipart.com “The property owner certainly does practice what he preaches!”

8. The Seven Satiric Tones Sarcasm Sarcasm - Sarcasm may use mocking praise to indicate the opposite meaning. - Essentially incidental and verbal - More crude than irony, more blunt - Sometimes not recognized in written form Cynicism Cynicism - A cynic is a person that believes all people are motivated by selfishness - Expressing or exhibiting scorn or bitter mockery Sardonic- scornfully or cynically mocking Sardonic- scornfully or cynically mocking * both cynicism and the sardonic stem from a deep sense of dillusion * both cynicism and the sardonic stem from a deep sense of dillusion - sardonic would rather weep than laugh; his laughter is on the verge of anger, bitter laughter Invective- the anger the sardonic manages to keep under control burst forth from the invective Invective- the anger the sardonic manages to keep under control burst forth from the invective -extreme of satiric spectrum; direct and unremitting attack on its subject. - sometimes comes to abuse and name calling

9. Devices of Satire Exaggeration Overstating Overstating Stereotyping groups of people and focusing on faults Stereotyping groups of people and focusing on faults Making things appear ridiculous and unattractive Making things appear ridiculous and unattractiveHyperbole Using wild exaggeration Using wild exaggerationUnderstatement Saying less than what is really meant or saying something with less force than is appropriate. Saying less than what is really meant or saying something with less force than is appropriate.

10. TARGETS OF SATIRE Society and or its institutions Society and or its institutions Type of Person Type of Person Person Person Place Place Events Events

11. Classifying satire by the FORM of presentation Direct Direct - Satiric voice speaks out in person Indirect Indirect - Cast in the form of a plot - Characters make themselves ridiculous by thought, speech, and actions - Characters made more ridiculous by the author’s narrative style and comments - Characters made more ridiculous by the author’s narrative style and comments

12. Irony Expectation Versus Reality Irony is a contrast or discrepancy between expectation and reality—between Irony is a contrast or discrepancy between expectation and reality—between –what is said and what is really meant –what is expected and what really happens –what appears to be true and what is really true

13. Types of Irony Three types of irony are Three types of irony are –verbal irony –situational irony –dramatic irony

14. Verbal Irony Verbal irony occurs when a writer or speaker says one thing but really means something quite different—often the opposite of what he or she has said. Verbal irony occurs when a writer or speaker says one thing but really means something quite different—often the opposite of what he or she has said. –Understatement is a type of verbal irony that occurs when a writer or speaker says less than what is meant. –Sarcasm is a kind of cutting irony, in which praise is used tauntingly to indicate its opposite meaning. “I am so energized I could run a marathon,” murmured Sam as he struggled to keep from falling asleep.

15. Situational Irony Situational irony occurs when what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate. Situational irony occurs when what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate. –Situational irony is often used to create trick endings. Susie and Kim dragged John to the movies. He complained in the car, in the ticket line, and during the preview. After the movie was over, though, he couldn’t stop talking about how great it was, and he even wanted to see it again.

16. Dramatic Irony Dramatic irony occurs when the audience or reader knows something important that a character in a play or story does not know. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience or reader knows something important that a character in a play or story does not know. In a play about a family reunion, a group of young children gather around a campfire to hear their grandfather tell the story of the “Great Grizzly Ghost.” When a growling bear suddenly appears in the distance, the children are frightened, but the audience knows that the bear is really just one of the older children wearing a bear suit.