1. Satire:
The Fine Art of
Mockery and Ridicule

2. 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

3. 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.

4. Purpose of Satire Purpose, Continued
The satirist's goal is to point out the hypocrisy of the target.
To inspire change by evoking feelings of embarrassment, anger, horror, pride, etc.
To incite action
To criticize
To mock

5. Targets of Satire Targets of Satire
Works of satire usually attack the following:
human frailty
people
institutions
Ideas, trends, fads
Values
Behaviors
Attitudes
Politics, politicians, current events

6. 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

7. 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

8. Examples in Literature
In Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn the racism of the deep south is satirized.
Huckleberry’s conscience – warped by the racist world he has grown up in, often bothers him most when he is at his best.
Ironically, he is prepared to do good, believing it to be wrong.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Examples from Film Examples from Film
Almost all spoof movies at least partly fall into the category of satire
Some of these films might include: Scary Movie franchise, Naked Gun franchise, Airplane, This is Spinal Tap and many others

13. Satire in Action!

14. 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

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

16. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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