Satire & Satirical Devices Williams Field High School

Satire A literary manner which blends humor with criticism for the purpose of instruction or the improvement of humanity

The necessary ingredients Humor Criticism, either general criticism of humanity or human nature or specific criticism of an individual or group. Some kind of moral voice: simply mocking or criticism is not “satire.” Humor + Criticism + Moral Voice= Inspired Reform

Audience Audience is reasonably intelligent, educated and rational (No point in appealing to fools, they won’t get it)

Satire vs. Sarcasm Satire – blend of criticism and humor for the purposes of CORRECTION OR IMPROVEMENT Sarcasm– simple abuse consisting of a series of insults

Three GOLDEN Satire Questions 1. What institutions, practice, and/or groups are being satirized? 2. What method(s) does the author employ in constructing his satire? 3.What is the TONE of the satire?

1. What institutions, practice, and/or groups are being satirized? A group of organization Individuals A “sort” or type of person A social class Social Manners Modern progress Mankind

2. What method(s)/devices does the author employ in constructing his satire? Parody: an intentional mockery like changing a well-known piece of literature Absurdity: an idea is taken to its logical extreme (e.g. a baby dies of cleanliness). Irony: the tension between what one expects and what actually happens (an Olympic swimmer drowns in bathtub).

2. What method(s)/devices does the author employ in constructing his satire? Exaggeration: making things larger or smaller than they really are (e.g. caricature in political cartoons: hyperbole or exaggerated language) Caricature: An exaggerated portrayal of the weaknesses, frailties, or humorous aspects of an individual or group. Understatement: making things smaller/less important than they are. (e.g. the state of the economy as no big deal)

2. What method(s)/devices does the author employ in constructing his satire? Reversal: When the satirist uses/describes the opposite of what he actually wants to happen in order to make a point… Juxtaposition: the arrangement of two or more characters, ideas, or words side-by-side for the purpose of comparison, contrast, or character development

Juxtaposition (ft. Irony)

2. What method(s)/devices does the author employ in constructing his satire? Wit or Word Play: concentrated language (e.g. puns and limericks: What do you get when you cross a cow and a duck? Milk and Quackers).

3. What is the TONE of the satire? Horatian – this form aims to correct through broad laughter = Humor – cheerful – urbane – tongue--in--cheek – optimistic – warm – witty – gentle – chiding

3. What is the TONE of the satire? Juvenalian – this form aims to reforms through mocking ridicule – cutting – bitter – angry – contemptuous – grim – sardonic – harsh – indignant

Satire Writing Assessment Analyze the three satirical works presented on the paper provided. For each example, complete the three steps of the analysis: 1. Subject or Issue (2-3 Sentences): What is the general topic of the satire? 2. Target (1 Paragraph): What specific element of that subject or issue is being targeted? How do you know? 3. Satirical Technique (1 Paragraph): Focus on one of those listed or choose one of the other methods that you recorded from the PowerPoint. As a reminder, one paragraph is generally 6-8 sentences.

Satire & POV Formal & Direct: Satiric voice speaks in first person Informal & Indirect: Character themselves reveal their folly & ridiculousness through their own actions, words and thoughts

Utopias & Dystopias A technique often used in satirical novels is the contrast between utopian and dystopian societies. The author usually introduces what at first appears to be a utopian society, but which the reader soon realizes is actually grotesque or dystopian.

Utopianism = A criticism of the status quo through comparison with a superior kind of society that highlights the weaknesses of one’s own. Utopia, by Sir Thomas More Gargantua and Pantegruel Gulliver’s Travels, Book II

Dystopianism = A criticism of certain aspects of society through comparison to an inferior society that adopts some of these aspects. George Orwell’s 1984 Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 Kurt Vonnegut’s Player Piano Gulliver’s Travels, Book IV * Both Dystopianism and Utopianism use contrast to make point.

Both Dystopianism and Utopianism use contrast to make point.

Satire

Satire

Satire a literary technique in which behaviors or institutions are ridiculed for the purpose of improving society.

Political cartoons

Contemporary satire Stephen Colbert Jon Stewart

Truthiness is a "truth" that a person claims to know intuitively "from the gut" without regard to evidence, logic, intellectual examination, or facts. truthiness

Rocky & Bullwinkle