Transcription
Literary Elements of Satire
Satire A work that uses ridicule, humor, and wit tocriticize and provoke change in human natureand institutions. Substitute Teacher
Satire is always topical. Thatis, it is about something thatthe author feels needs to beexposed or denounced. It isoften a painful, absurd orfoolish person, group orsituation.
The author tries to produce theunexpected by using one or moreof the following:
Irony
Paradox (dilemma or puzzle)
Antithesis (direct or opposite)
Parody (caricature)
Obscenity (objectionable language) #*@&
Violence (brutality)
Vividness (Clarity or intensity)
Exaggeration(overstatement/Hyperboly)
Satire Review A topical exposure ofsomething an author feelsmust be denounced. It is oftena painful, absurd or foolishperson, group or situation.
The emotion feltby the author is ablend ofcontempt andamusement. Insome works onealmost completelyoutweighs theother.
However, it always contains some trace oflaughter, however bitter.
Horror, hate and fear without amusement willnot make a satire, but a diatribe a forceful andbitter verbal attack against someone orsomething, merely a denunciation.
It is notpossible towrite aneffective satireabout Hitler,cancer, orother realtragedies.
There are two kinds of satirists. One is anoptimist whothinks peopleare blind andfoolish andwishes to curethem.
The other is apessimist whohates peopleand wants topunish them.
On Demand Writing Choose one piece of satire we reviewed thistrimester to analyze. Explain how this piece meets the definition ofsatire by examining the topic and elements ofthe archetypes. In your opinion, is the satirist of this piece anoptimist or a pessimist? Explain your answer.
Satire can take various forms: Monologue – This is just one speaker,speaking directly to the audience, usually inthe form of an essay. “A Modest Proposal”by Jonathan Swiftis an example of this form.
Satire can take various forms: Parody – This is an imitation which usesdistortion and exaggeration to evokeamusement or derision. It groupsextremes to make them absurd. Weird Al doesparodies ofpopular songs.
Satire can take various forms: Narrative - This is astory that leaves abitter aftertaste withthe reader, with theintended purpose ofchange, like MarkTwain’s “War Prayer.”
Satire wishes to expose, criticize andshame human life. This is often done by introducing a strangeland or foreign world, or our own world inthe future. 1984 and Animal Farm by GeorgeOrwell, Brave New World by AldousHuxley and Fahrenheit 451 by RayBradbury are all examples of this form.
Satire can take various forms: Visual Art – Political cartoons andcaricatures are examples of this form. In caricatures the subject is made to lookridiculous by emphasizing certainimportant or noticeable features.
Think about Blaine High School Create an original visual satire about somethingthat should be changed here at Blaine. Remember: Optimist or Pessimist Utilize elements Make an attempt at humor
Orwell, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury are all examples of this form. Satire can take various forms: Visual Art - Political cartoons and caricatures are examples of this form. In caricatures the subject is made to look
