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Learn about satire, a form of literature that humorously critiques human behavior and society to provoke change. Explore the major devices and characteristics of satire through examples and analysis.
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Satire: An Introduction The art of indirect persuasion
What is satire? • Satire is a literary form in which human follies or vices are held up to ridicule or scorn. • Satire often pokes fun at or ridicules some aspect of society or a topic of interest in order to prove a point and improve mankind and human institutions. • It uses humor with an edge.
Where would I find satire? • In cartoons like Sponge Bob or The Simpsons • In cartoons on the editorial pages of publications • Late night TV shows like Saturday Night Live or The Jon Stewart Show • In music in songs by artists such as Weird Al and Cletus T. Judd
Characteristics of Satire • Satire is easily dated because it is often inspired by current events. It may be hard to understand if one is not familiar with the event that is being referenced. • It uses edgy humor in an attempt to reform or change human behavior or values. • It compares reality to what is ideal, but why is this problematic? • Any individual or issue could be fair game for the writer of satire.
Major Devices of Satire • Parody • Understatement • Exaggeration • Hyperbole • Negative Comments • Irony • Verbal Irony • Situational Irony • Dramatic Irony • Stereotype • Reversal • Incongruity
Major Devices of Satire • Parody—a take-off or imitation of a work of art or literature • Understatement—saying less than what is really meant “Oh, those chemo treatments were a piece of cake” • Exaggeration—overstating or expanding the facts relating to an issue
More Devices of Satire • Some satire contains hyperboles—extreme exaggerations. • Negative comments or insults may be made regarding issues related to society (politics, health care, racial issues, etc.)
Major Devices of Satire Ironyis the tension between what the audience expects to happen and what actually happens. • Verbal Irony • Situational Irony • Dramatic Irony
Verbal Irony • When what is said is the opposite of what is meant: • This explanation is clear as dirt. • Your boyfriend shows up in ripped up jeans and a stained t-shirt. With a smirk, you say, “Oh! I see you dressed up for our date. We must be going to a fancy restaurant.” • In Beauty and the Beast, an animated Disney movie, Belle refuses to marry Gaston by saying “I just don’t deserve you.”
Situational Irony • When the appearance of things is opposite to the reality. • A marriage counselor files for divorce. • Fahrenheit 451 is on the list of top 100 banned books. • A man who needed medical assistance is run over by the ambulance.
Dramatic Irony • When what a character says or thinks is not what the reader, audience, or other characters know to be true • When watching a talk show, the audience knows that the guest is going to be reunited with his lost love; however, the person sitting in a chair does not know why he has been brought onto the show. This adds to the suspense and humor of the show.
Major Devices of Satire • Satire often contains stereotypes, which is a generalization assigned to an entire group. • What stereotypes of Kentuckians are represented in this photo?
Major Devices of Satire • Reversal, which is presenting the opposite of normal order.
Major Devices of Satire • Incongruity: Presenting things that are absurd in relation to the surroundings.
Understanding Satire • To understand the message of satire, it’s important to ask yourself these questions: • What is the issue being targeted in the work? • How does the creator seem to feel about the issue? • What does he/she seem to think should change about the issue?
