Understanding Satire

1. Understanding Satire Humor for the intelligent— will you get it?

2. 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

3. Satire Defined • Conservative • Values society, tradition, & viable institutions • Values the general welfare and public good • Audience is intelligent, educated and rational • Fools won’t get it

4. 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

5. Four Golden Satire Questions • What institutions, practices, and/or groups are being satirized? • What method(s) does the author employ in constructing his satire? • What is the tone of the satire? • What is the central message that the author is trying to communicate?

6. What institutions, practices, and/orgroups are being satirized? • A group or organization • Individuals • A “sort” or type of person • A social class • A prevailing philosophy • Social manners • Modern progress • Mankind

7. What method(s) might an author employ in constructing his satire?

8. 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)

9. 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

10. What is the tone of thesatire? • Juvenalian – this form aims to reforms through mocking ridicule – cutting – bitter – angry – contemptuous – grim – sardonic – harsh – indignant

11. Satire and POV • Often employs a special kind of narrator called a mask or persona • This 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

12. Satire and POV • Formal & Direct • Satiric voice speaks in first person • Informal & Indirect • Characters themselves reveal their folly & ridiculousness through their own actions, words and thoughts

13. Modern Day Satire

14. Sample Modern Parody • http://www.lametrain.com/ebay.shtml

15. Satire in Action!

16. 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

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

18. 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.

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?