Satire AP Language and Composition

Distinguishing Characteristics: Biting quality Biting quality Serious themes Serious themes Very little plot or character development because the most important thing is to get the point across Very little plot or character development because the most important thing is to get the point across Distorts the world it describes Distorts the world it describes Often uses understatement and shock imagery Often uses understatement and shock imagery

Satire A literary genre that uses irony, wit and sometimes sarcasm to expose humanity’s vices and foibles, giving impetus to change or reform through ridicule. Video clip Video clip

Satire and the Law The relations of satirists to the law have always been delicate and complex. The relations of satirists to the law have always been delicate and complex. –In the United States, satirists attack individuals only at the risk of severe financial loss to himself and his publisher. –In totalitarian countries he risks imprisonment or death. –Under extreme conditions satire against the reigning order is out of the question. Such was the case in the Soviet Union and most other communist countries. For example, a poet was sent to a concentration camp and his death for composing a satirical poem on Stalin. Such was the case in the Soviet Union and most other communist countries. For example, a poet was sent to a concentration camp and his death for composing a satirical poem on Stalin.Soviet UnionSoviet Union Why would the law care about satire? Why would the law care about satire?

2 Types of Satire Horatian— Horatian— –Witty and tolerant narrator –Amused but not alarmed by human weakness Juvenalian— Juvenalian— –Serious and dignified moralist

Horatian Satire examples

Juvenalian Satire Examples

Parody As a literary term, a form of high burlesque popular since ancient times that imitates a specific literary work or the style of an author for comic effect, usually to ridicule or criticize that work, author, or style Ex—The Onion, Spaceballs, The Date Movie

Sarcasm Intentional derision, generally directed at another person and intended to hurt. The term comes from a Greek word meaning “to tear flesh like dogs” and signifies a cutting remark. Intentional derision, generally directed at another person and intended to hurt. The term comes from a Greek word meaning “to tear flesh like dogs” and signifies a cutting remark. Ex—Modest Proposal—”Those who are more thrifty (as I confess the times require) may flay the carcass; the skin of which admirably dressed will make admirable gloves for ladies….” Ex—Modest Proposal—”Those who are more thrifty (as I confess the times require) may flay the carcass; the skin of which admirably dressed will make admirable gloves for ladies….”

Epithet An adjective or phrase applied to a noun to accentuate a certain characteristic An adjective or phrase applied to a noun to accentuate a certain characteristic Ex—Thomas Paine—”Sunshine Patriot” Ex—Thomas Paine—”Sunshine Patriot”

Sardonic Voice Scornful, mocking, cynical from the Greek Sardonios, a poisonous plant supposed to distort the face of the eater, appearing to die laughing Scornful, mocking, cynical from the Greek Sardonios, a poisonous plant supposed to distort the face of the eater, appearing to die laughing Ex—Ambrose Bierce, “The Devil’s Dictionary.”—Love—A temporary insanity curable by marriage OR Congratulation—The civility of envy Ex—Ambrose Bierce, “The Devil’s Dictionary.”—Love—A temporary insanity curable by marriage OR Congratulation—The civility of envy

Examples Political Cartoons, media Political Cartoons, media Essays, columns Essays, columns Letters Letters Movies Movies Others? Others?