understanding satire
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Understanding Satire . Humor for the intelligent— will you get it? . Satire Defined . One of the oldest forms of literature and one of the most durable A constructive art that seeks not merely to destroy but to rebuild; aim is to inspire reform Humor + criticism = inspired reform. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Understanding Satire
Humor for the intelligent— will you get it?
Satire Defined One of the oldest forms of literature
and one of the most durableA constructive art that seeks not
merely to destroy but to rebuild; aim is to inspire reform
Humor + criticism = inspired reform
Satire Defined Conservative Values society, tradition, & viable
institutionsValues the general welfare and
public goodAudience is intelligent, educated and
rationalFools won’t get it
Satire vs. Sarcasm Satire – blend of criticism and humor
for the purposes of CORRECTION OR IMPROVEMENT
Sarcasm– simple abuse consisting of a series of insults
Four Golden Satire Questions
1. What institutions, practices, and/or groups are being satirized?
2. What method(s) does the author employ in constructing his satire?
3. What is the tone of the satire?4. What is the central message that
the author is trying to communicate?
What institutions, practices, and/orgroups are being satirized?1. A group or organization2. Individuals3. A “sort” or type of person4. A social class5. A prevailing philosophy6. Social manners7. Modern progress8. Mankind
What method(s) might an author employ in constructing his satire?
Parody - humorous imitation of another work or type of work. This could be a parody of style, mannerisms, etc.
Irony - technique of indicating, as through character or plot development, an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually or clearly stated.
Lampoon - sharp, often bitter satire directed against an individual or institution. Similar to parody (see above)
Litotes—A form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite (she’s not unattractive)
Hyperbole—Deliberate exaggeration to achieve effect--overstatement
Sarcasm—Intentional derision. Cutting remarks and obvious verbal irony. Jeering statement of opposite of what is meant.
Wit—Clever expression. Wit is characterized by a mocking or paradoxical quality, evoking laughter through apt phrasing.
Caricature - exaggeration by means of often ridiculous distortion of parts or characteristics. Often visual.
Ridicule—Words intended to belittle and arouse contemptuous laughter. The goal is to make the target seem laughable or ridiculous.
Invective—Heavy use of negative emotional language to abuse, denounce, or attack a person, a cause, an idea, or a system.
Invective "Curse the blasted, jelly-boned swines,
the slimy, the belly-wriggling invertebrates, the miserable sodding rotters, the flaming sods, the snivelling, dribbling, dithering, palsied pulse-less lot that make up England today. . . . how I hate them! Extermine them, slime. I could curse for hours and hours--God help me."(D.H. Lawrence, letter to editor Edward Garnett, July 3, 1912)
What is the tone of thesatire?Horatian – this form aims to correct
through broad laughter– cheerful– urbane– tongue-in-cheek– optimistic– warm– witty– gentle– chiding
What is the tone of thesatire?Juvenalian – this form aims to reforms
through mocking ridicule– cutting– bitter– angry– contemptuous– grim– sardonic– harsh– indignant
Satire and POV Often employs a special kind of
narrator called a mask or personaThis is the character through
whom the action is observed or related
NOT NORMALLY TO BE CONSTRUED AS THE AUTHOR’S VOICE
Often has the presence of a character that serves as the “norm” or the standard against which we measure the other characters
Satire and POVFormal & Direct
◦ Satiric voice speaks in first person
Informal & Indirect◦ Characters themselves reveal their
folly & ridiculousness through their own actions, words and thoughts
Modern Day Satire
Sample Modern Parody http://www.lametrain.com/ebay.s
html
Satire In ActionRemember: 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 ActionWhat 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 fewer
games and for parents to step in and make their children focus on activities that will help them later in life.
Satire in ActionWhat 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?