Satire: The Fine Art of Mockery and Ridicule

Satire Defined Satire Defined A literary genre based on criticism of people and society Ridicule and mockery are mixed with humor throughout a work of satire

Purpose of Satire Purpose The satirist aims to influence change by laughing scornfully at those being mocked--and being witty enough to allow the reader to laugh, also. The object of satire is usually some human frailty; people, institutions, ideas, and things are all fair game for satirists.

Purpose of Satire Purpose, Continued The satirist's goal is to point out the hypocrisy of the target By highlighting inconsistencies the target is made to look ridiculous

Targets of Satire Targets of Satire Works of satire usually attack the following: human frailty people institutions ideas

Style Style The satirist may insert serious statements of value or desired behavior However, most satires rely on its audience to understand what is right versus what is wrong

Style Style, Continued Many of the techniques of satire are devices of comparison, to show the similarity or contrast between two things. Examples include: a list of absurd items, an oxymoron, metaphors, sarcasm, irony and exaggeration

Examples in Literature In Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn the racism of the deep south is satirized. Jim, a former black slave, is Huck’s best friend and one of the most morally upstanding characters, yet society believes him to be morally corrupt based on his race.

Examples in Literature Examples in Literature, Continued Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World satirizes a future where people don’t have serious relationships People no longer have opinions and are classified from birth into a caste

Examples in Literature Examples in Literature, Continued  George Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm In both of Orwell’s works a society is satirized where government has complete authority over the people

Examples in Television Examples in Television and Popular Culture Stephen Colbert’s television program, The Colbert Report satirizes both other television personalities and a variety of aspects of society Most notably Colbert satirizes political candidates and political decisions

Examples from Film Examples from Film Some of the most entertaining films are satires

Satire In Action Remember: Satire often pokes fun at some institution, person or aspect of human weakness In the following cartoons, try to specifically point out what is being satirized. Also try to come to a conclusion about what the artist/author wants his audience to think about by viewing the cartoon

Satire in Action What is being satirized? What change does the artist possibly want to inspire?

Possible Responses: What is being satirized? The artist is satirizing our youth’s preoccupation with games, computers and other technology. It is also satirizing parents who allow their children so much access to these distractions. What change does the artist possibly want to inspire? The artist wants children to play less games and for parents to step in and make their children focus on activities that will help them later in life.

Satire in Action What is being satirized? What change does the artist possibly want to inspire?

Satire in Action What is being satirized? What change does the artist possibly want to inspire?

Satire in Action What is being satirized? What change does the artist possibly want to inspire?

Satire in Action What is being satirized? What change does the artist possibly want to inspire?

Satire in Action What is being satirized? What change does the artist possibly want to inspire?

Satire in Action What is being satirized? What change does the artist possibly want to inspire?

Satire in Action What is being satirized? What change does the artist possibly want to inspire?