1. 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.

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.