1. An Introduction to Satire
English 10: British Literature Mr. Ambrose & Ms. Stevens
An Introduction to Satire
Featuring Shrek, The Tick, Monty Python, and the Onion

2. What is satire?
Satire: A literary work that ridicules its subject in order to make a comment or criticism about it.

3. Monty Python - Hell’s Grannies

4. Where did you see satire in Hell’s Grannies?
How does this clip mock its subject matter?
What commentary or criticism does it provide?

5. Satire There are four major techniques employed in satire:
Exaggeration
Incongruity
Reversal
Parody

6. Exaggeration
To enlarge, increase, or represent something beyond normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous and its faults can be seen.

7. Incongruity
To present things that are out of place or are absurd in relation to its surroundings.

8. Reversal
To present the opposite of the normal order (i.e. the order of events, hierarchical order).

9. Parody (a.k.a. “spoof”)
To imitate the techniques and/or style of some person, place, or thing.

10. Shrek: Watch the scene
Let’s take a look at Shrek. See if you can find an example of each satirical technique.

11. Satirical Techniques in Shrek
Exaggeration
Princess Fiona fights and successfully defeats Robin Hood and his Merry Men without help.
Incongruity
Princess Fiona uses her ponytail to defeat one of the Merry Men, stopping in mid-air to adjust her hair
Reversal
The role of the hero and the damsel in distress are reversed. The damsel saves the hero.
Parody
The fight scene is an exaggerated imitation of the martial arts style in movies like The Matrix.

12. So what’s the commentary?
The traditional story of the knight rescuing the damsel in distress is not a realistic depiction of the roles filled by men and women in modern society.
Current Hollywood action movies like The Matrix have become ridiculous because they are too focused on special effects.
Any other ideas?

13. The Tick The Big Blue Bug of Justice is Here
In what ways does this clip make fun of the classic superhero archetype?

14. Satire in The Tick What elements of satire are present? Where?
Exaggeration?
Incongruity?
Reversal?
Parody?
What is the commentary being offered?

15. Read and discuss “Facebook Version of Marriage Going Great”
The Onion
Read and discuss “Facebook Version of Marriage Going Great”

16. Homework (Honors) Honors:
Find an example of a story you like on
Print it out and bring it in tomorrow.
In addition, write an analysis of the article (two paragraphs), explaining (a) what elements of satire are being employed and (b) what commentary is being offered.
Staple the article and your analysis together.

17. Homework (Standard) Standard Explore the website www.theonion.com.
Find articles and videos that you think would be interesting to the class.
Enter class with articles and videos in mind to share with the group.
You might do this by ing yourself links.