Satire A literary technique in which behaviors or institutions are ridiculed for the purpose of exposing, correcting, or improving some aspect of human behavior. Satire uses irony and exaggeration to poke fun at human faults and foolishness. Satire often presents moral judgment as well as social criticism.

corrects vice or foolishness with gentle laughter and understanding Juvenalian satire provokes a darker kind of laughter. often bitter criticizes corruption or incompetence with scorn and outrage Horatian satire playfully amusing corrects vice or foolishness with gentle laughter and understanding

How to Read Satire … Determine the object of satire Be aware of the satirist’s subject of criticism Look for irony Is the work Horatian or Juvenalian? Accept and enjoy the humor

Key Aspects of Swift’s Style: use of a persona as opposed to the direct voice of the author shocking or disturbing words, phrases, and situations ironic statements & situations point out human shortcomings and faults use of understatement implying the opposite by saying less than is meant; understating shocking or fantastic elements for a comic effect, or to expose mindless assumptions

What problems afflicting Ireland concern Swift? What is the primary consideration of the speaker’s argument? According to the speaker, what are the advantages of the proposal? What is the tone of this essay? What is the most probable reason for Swift’s work? What does the speaker believe is the answer to Ireland’s problems? Identify three poignant comments that reveal Swift’s attitude toward the subject.