1. Satire

2. Why are these funny?

3. What is satire? In satire, human or individual vices, follies, abuses or shortcomings are held up to find fault with by means of ridicule, mockery, irony, or other methods, ideally with the intent to bring about improvement. Although satire is meant to be funny, the purpose of satire is not primarily humor in itself so much as an attack on something of which the author strongly disapproves, using the weapon of wit. What? Paraphrase, please…

4. What is satire? Satire: Making fun of some aspect of culture, society, and/or human nature to hopefully improve it or inspire change.

5. …Isn’t that comedy? Satire differs from comedy in that: –Satire seeks to correct, improve, or reform throughout ridicule –Comedy aims simply to amuse its audience –Satire uses laughter as a weapon against something that exists outside the work itself.

6. The Satiric Manner Ironic or Sarcastic Ironic or Sarcastic Either good natured criticism (Horatian after Horace) or bitterly cynical denunciation (Juvenalian after Juvenal) Either good natured criticism (Horatian after Horace) or bitterly cynical denunciation (Juvenalian after Juvenal) Always opposed to pretense, affectation, and hypocrisy Always opposed to pretense, affectation, and hypocrisy More than a little bit prone to references to things society finds taboo or disgusting (bodily functions, sexuality, etc.) More than a little bit prone to references to things society finds taboo or disgusting (bodily functions, sexuality, etc.)

7. Two types of satire Formal (Direct) Satire The persona (speaker) uses first-person point of view The persona (speaker) uses first-person point of view This speaker may address the reader or a character within the work This speaker may address the reader or a character within the work Indirect Satire Some format other than direct address to the reader Some format other than direct address to the reader This is usually a fictional narrative, in which objects of satire are characters This is usually a fictional narrative, in which objects of satire are characters

8. Direct Satire = stating a direct criticism humorously. This is the oldest and, historically, most common form of satiric writing.

9. Comedian Dennis Miller’s popular series of books, Rants, are an excellent modern example of direct satire. Comedian Dennis Miller’s popular series of books, Rants, are an excellent modern example of direct satire.

10. The Death of Common Sense “You can't get in your car and not run into another idiot who pulls into the gas station with his fuel tank on the wrong side and then has to get instructions from a NASA team at Houston Control to figure out how to maneuver his car so that the tank is on the correct side. And you can't open a paper without reading about a mondo idiot who gets hurt or killed at a railroad crossing because they had to try and beat the train to get home in time to watch Charlene Tilton's salute to porcelain clowns on QVC.”

11. Devices of Satire The chief device of satire is irony. What are the three types of irony?

12. Satire uses irony: the recognition of a reality different than appearance. Verbal Irony: the actual intent of words is the opposite of overt meaning Verbal Irony: the actual intent of words is the opposite of overt meaning Situational Irony: Because of the context of an event the event is the opposite of what would be expected. Situational Irony: Because of the context of an event the event is the opposite of what would be expected. Dramatic Irony – The audience knows something the characters do not Dramatic Irony – The audience knows something the characters do not

13. Difference Between Sarcasm and VerbalIirony Verbal Irony: Discrepancy between what is said and what is meant. Verbal Irony: Discrepancy between what is said and what is meant. "Terrible weather!" my colleague exclaims as we pass between buildings on a beautiful spring day. "Terrible weather!" my colleague exclaims as we pass between buildings on a beautiful spring day. Sarcasm: Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony that generally involves malice, the desire to put someone down, e.g., "This is my brilliant son, who failed out of college." Sarcasm: Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony that generally involves malice, the desire to put someone down, e.g., "This is my brilliant son, who failed out of college."

14. Devices of Indirect Satire Other Devices… Parody: poking fun at something by mimicking or imitating it Caricature: poking fun at a character by exaggerating its personal characteristics in drawing or narrative

15. Parody = a work of literature that mimics another work of literature, usually as a way of criticizing it. Monty Python and the Holy Grail Monty Python and the Holy Grail Austin Powers Austin Powers Scary Movie/Epic Movie Scary Movie/Epic Movie Gulliver’s Travels Gulliver’s Travels Don Quixote Don Quixote Wicked Wicked

16. Caricature = An exaggerated portrayal of the weaknesses, frailties, or humorous aspects of an individual or group.

17. Caricatures of the presidential candidates by Saturday Night Live cast members in ‘03 year actually changed the way that the candidates performed in public. Caricatures of the presidential candidates by Saturday Night Live cast members in ‘03 year actually changed the way that the candidates performed in public.

18. Devices of Satire Juxtaposition: the arrangement of two or more characters, ideas, or words side-by-side for the purpose of comparison, contrast, or character development Sarcasm: taunting on a personal level by saying something and meaning the opposite

19. Devices of Satire Hyperbole: Exaggeration. Making something more important than it really is. Used to make an idea or situation seem ridiculous by taking it to the extreme Understatement: a writer or speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important than it is. Draws attention to a fact that is already obvious and noticeable

20. Analyzing Satire in 5 easy steps! 1. What's the tone of the satire? (grim, cheerful, sardonic, mock serious, optimistic, etc.) 2. What type of satire is this? (direct vs. indirect) 3. What is the writer satirizing? (what aspect of society are they trying to criticize?) 4. What is the writer's purpose in satirizing this subject? (what do they want to change?) 5. What techniques does the writer use in this satire? (hyperbole, understatement, irony, humor, etc.)