Understanding Satire Parody and Humorous Arguments Dyings easy

Understanding Satire, Parody, and Humorous Arguments “Dying’s easy, but comedy will kill you. ” --Sir Laurence Olivier

First, the Big Picture…Four “Shapes” of Literature Tragedy: shape of Disintegration – Main character breaks from society, family, country, etc. – Government, society, family breaking down Comedy: shape of Reintegration – Restoring family or social order – Things start out jumbled but sort out

Four “Shapes” of Literature Romance: shape of Wish-fulfillment – Adventure full of excitement and passion – Main character desires something • (eventually) gets it Satire: shape of Fragmentation – Chaos, uncivilized – Social fabric threatens to come apart

What is Satire? Humorous, wry, detached Ridicules politics, society, human foibles Makes us examine life & change it Moral outrage is at core, then either: – Condemns – Warns/Heals

TYPES OF SATIRE FORMAL/DIRECT – Directly addresses audience or reader; openly criticizes topic – Classified as “Horatian” or “Juvenalian” INDIRECT – Relies on ridiculous behavior of characters

TYPES OF FORMAL SATIRE HORATIAN Ridicules gently Often laugh-out-loud funny “Satirical physician” JUVENALIAN Derides subjects harshly and bitterly Abrasive “Satirical executioner”

Parody Humorous imitation of another work – Generally, original work is serious – Humorously imitates style, key ideas, form – Often tackles “inappropriate” subjects Typically light-hearted or good-natured May also mock shared/universal experience

Differences Between Satire & Parody Satire invents fictitious situation – Purpose: ridicule people, events, or ideas – May include existing elements/real details Parody imitates or mocks existing work – Purpose: Points out flaws of the original work – Absurdly exaggerates its characteristics

Keys to Writing Humorous Arguments Humorous Techniques/Devices Timing Details Incongruity

Humorous Techniques/Devices Irony – Verbal (sarcasm, understatement, exaggeration) – Situational (unexpected) Hyperbole (exaggeration) Understatement or meiosis – Litotes (uses opposite: not a bad singer, not unhappy) Jargon – Using expressions from particular group or field

Timing Use current events or topics – Audiences need to understand references Build suspense, then drop punchline

Details “And before you accuse me of being some kind of sherry-sipping ascot-wearing balletattending Mac. Neil-Lehrer-News. Hourwatching wussy, please note that I am a sports guy myself, having had a legendary atheletic career consisting of nearly a third of the 1965 season on the track team at Pleasantville High School (“Where the Leaders of Tomorrow Are Leaving Wads of Gum on the Auditorium Seats of Today”). -- Dave Barry

Details Precise details add to humor Consider the difference: “And before you accuse me of being some kind of wussy, please note that I am a sports guy myself, having had an athletic career on the track team at Pleasantville High School. ”

Incongruity Juxtaposing diction – Colloquial expressions for lofty figures or situations – Overly formal language Combine pop culture with “higher” subjects – Real current events or literary references Consider bizarre “What ifs”