Understanding Satire Humor for the Intelligent Sort What

Understanding Satire Humor for the Intelligent Sort

What is satire? � One of the oldest forms of literature and one of the most enduring. � A constructive art that seeks not merely to destroy but to rebuild; the aim is to inspire reform � Humor + criticism = inspired reform � Assumes that the audience is reasonably intelligent, educated, and rational

Satire v. Sarcasm � Satire = a blend of criticism and humor for the purposes of correction or improvement � Sarcasm = simple abuse consisting of a series of insults or insincere language

Three Golden Satire Questions � 1. What institutions, practices, and/or groups are being satirized? � What method(s) does the author employ in constructing his/her satire? � What is the tone of the satire?

What institutions, practices, and/or groups are being satirized? �A group or organization � Individuals � A “sort” or type of person � A social class, political party, etc � A prevailing philosophy � Social manners � Modern progress � Mankind

What method does the author employ in constructing his/her satire? � Parody– mocking an original work intended to be taken seriously by copying its style (Ex: Scary Movie, SNL) � Irony ◦ Verbal – what you say is different from what you mean (Ex: Saying, “Gee, thanks mom!” when your mom forgets to pick you up from school) ◦ Situational – when the opposite of what you expect to happens (Ex: a fire hydrant catches on fire) ◦ Dramatic – when the audience knows something the characters don’t (We know that Juliet is only asleep, but Romeo thinks she’s dead!) � Mock Epic – Mocks a subject by treating it in an inappropriate, grandiose manner (Stephen Colbert takes on Wheat Thins)

� Caricature – exaggeration by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics � Travesty –presents a serious subject in a trivial or frivolous manner (Hello, South Park!) � Fable - A usually short narrative making an cautionary point and often employing as characters animals that speak and act like humans (Animal Farm, The Butter Battle Book) � Burlesque – another word for parody � Lampoon – verb which means to satirize someone or something (EX: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation)

� Persona- employing a special kind of character or mask ◦ This is the character through whom the action is observed or related ◦ This is not the author’s voice or true character of the person preforming the satire

What is the tone of the satire? � Horatian ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ –aims to correct through broad laughter Cheerful urbane tongue--in—cheek Optimistic Warm Witty gentle chiding

What is the tone of the satire? � Juvenalian ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ –aims to reform through mocking ridicule cutting Bitter angry Contemptuous grim Sardonic harsh indignant

Examples of Satire � The Colbert Report � South Park, The Simpsons, SNL � The Onion � Animal Farm, Huckleberry Finn � Parody or spoof movies like Airplane, Scary Movie, Not Another Teen Movie, etc